Legal Question in Criminal Law in Louisiana

good time

My husband is serving time for theft and is eligible for 1/3 time. He is also taking educational classes. He knows he can get up to 10 days per month or 180 days total off of his sentence. But he was just told half would go toward good time if he is denied parole and has to serve up to his good time and the other half of the days would go towards the end of his parole time making it less. I have not been able to find anything on this. I seems to me if it is done this way they lose part of the time they earn if they are paroled at 1/3 time. What happens to these days? Do they actually lose them?

We thought some of these educational days would go to lessen his time at the 1/3 level. We are totally confused.


Asked on 8/29/03, 3:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Hardy Parkerson Retired Attorney; now Law Professor

Re: good time

Dear Friend,

I am a little confused by your question, but I will try to tell you what little I know about paroles. Frankly, I do not know how they go about giving credit for good time in the state prisons. I think that in the parish prisons, the prisoners get two for one: every day they serve which is good time, they get credit for two days served. As far as parole is concerned, my understanding is that a prisoner has to serve half his time before he is eligible for parole. On violent offenses, like Armed Robbery, or where a gun is used in the commission of the offense, it is 85% of the time. As I say, I am a criminal lawyer, but I seldom get involved in parole matters. Generally the Parole Board has a set of written rules that they will furnish upon request, perhaps for a small fee. I suggest you write the Louisiana Parole Board for a copy of the rules. Call information in Baton Rouge, Area Code 225-555-1212, and ask for State of Louisiana, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Division of Probation and Parole, and make your request; or simply call Probation and Parole under the State of Louisiana in your hometown or nearby and ask whoever answers the phone how you can obtain a copy of the rules of Probation and Parole, especially the rules pertaining to parole and when and how a prisoner is entitled to be paroled. Best of luck to you and your husband!

Sincerely,

Hardy Parkerson, Atty.

Lake Charles, LA

(337) 478-6126

P.S.: Feel free to call me if I can be of help! There is no charge for just talking with you.

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Answered on 9/08/03, 1:21 am


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