Federal vs. state prison time: why the percentages differ
The federal system has had no parole for offenses committed on or after November 1, 1987 — the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 replaced it with determinate sentences plus supervised release. Federal time served is arithmetic, not a board's decision: about 85% with Good Conduct Time, less for people earning and applying First Step Act credits. State systems vary enormously — some parole-eligible at a third of the sentence, some truth-in-sentencing states requiring 85% or more — so a neighbor's state experience predicts nothing about a federal date.
Reviewed against Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 and 18 U.S.C. § 3624. Last updated .
What replaced federal parole?
For modern federal sentences, everything that shortens time in prison is statutory and computable: Good Conduct Time (§ 3624(b)), FSA earned time credits (§ 3632(d)(4)), RDAP early release (§ 3621(e)), and prerelease custody (§ 3624(c) and (g)). There is no board to persuade and no discretionary early release to hope for — which is bad news for the ineligible, and good news for anyone who wants to know the date instead of guessing. The U.S. Parole Commission still exists only for pre-1987 'old law' cases, D.C. Code offenses, and a few other categories.
Why do people say state time is “easier” or “harder”?
Because state percentages genuinely range from under 25% served (parole-eligible nonviolent sentences in some states) to over 85% (truth-in-sentencing states for violent offenses). Both stereotypes are true somewhere. The federal number is narrower: roughly 85% as the ceiling with clear conduct, down to roughly 60–70% of the term in a prison facility for a fully FSA-eligible, consistently programming person — the 85 percent rule explainer walks the arithmetic.
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The free OutDate calculator applies these rules to a real sentence — Good Conduct Time, First Step Act credits, halfway house and RDAP dates — with every assumption listed next to the answer. No account needed; nothing is stored.
Open the federal release date calculatorFrequently asked questions
Can a federal prisoner go before a parole board?
Only pre-November 1987 'old law' cases and certain other categories (like D.C. Code offenders) see the U.S. Parole Commission. Everyone else's date is computed from statute — there is no board hearing to prepare for.
Is 'good behavior' worth more in state or federal court?
It depends on the state, but federal good conduct is fixed and predictable: 54 days per sentence-year, revocable only through the disciplinary process. Many states offer larger percentage reductions but tie them to discretionary decisions.
Do federal and state sentences for the same conduct run together?
Only if a court orders concurrency or BOP designates the state facility for federal service — see the concurrent-vs-consecutive explainer. By default, sentences imposed at different times run consecutively.
Primary sources
Everything on this page is drawn from the statutes, regulations, and BOP program statements below — read them directly:
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Estimates, not promises
This page describes federal law and Bureau of Prisons policy in general terms for education. It is not legal advice, it doesn't account for the facts of any individual case, and no attorney–client relationship is created by reading it. The BOP makes all final release-date determinations. Have an attorney review anything before you file it. Built by OutDate, the federal release date calculator.