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La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3 (2026)

Diminution of sentence for good behavior

✓ current as of May 2026
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PART IV. DIMINUTION AND COMMUTATION

OF SENTENCE FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR

§571.3. Diminution of sentence for good behavior

           A.(1) Every prisoner in a parish prison convicted of an offense and sentenced to imprisonment without hard labor, except a prisoner convicted a second time of a crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B), may earn a diminution of sentence, to be known as "good time", by good behavior and performance of work or self-improvement activities, or both. The amount of diminution of sentence allowed under this Paragraph shall be at the rate of thirty days for every thirty days in actual custody, except for a prisoner convicted a first time of a crime of violence, as defined in R.S. 14:2(B), who shall earn diminution of sentence at the rate of three days for every seventeen days in actual custody held on the imposed sentence, including, in either case, time spent in custody with good behavior prior to sentencing for the particular sentence imposed as authorized by Code of Criminal Procedure Article 880.

           (2) The sheriff of the parish in which the conviction was had shall have the sole authority to determine when good time has been earned in accordance with the sheriff's regulations and the provisions of this Section.

           (3) In the event that the prisoner is confined in a parish or multiparish correctional facility not operated by the sheriff, the superintendent of the correctional facility shall have the sole power to determine when good time has been earned or when diminution of sentence may be allowed in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

           B.(1)(a) Unless otherwise prohibited, every offender in the custody of the department who has been convicted of a felony, except an offender convicted a second or subsequent time of a crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B) or as provided in Subsection F of this Section, or an offender convicted a fourth or subsequent time of a nonviolent felony offense, and sentenced to imprisonment for a stated number of years or months, may earn, in lieu of incentive wages, a diminution of sentence by good behavior and performance of work or self-improvement activities, or both, to be known as "good time". Those offenders serving life sentences will be credited with good time earned which will be applied toward diminution of their sentences at such time as the life sentences might be commuted to a specific number of years. The secretary shall establish regulations for awarding and recording of good time and shall determine when good time has been earned toward diminution of sentence. The amount of diminution of sentence allowed under the provisions of this Section shall be at the rate of thirteen days for every seven days in actual custody served on the imposed sentence, including time spent in custody with good behavior prior to sentencing for the particular sentence imposed as authorized by the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure Article 880.

           (b) The provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be applicable to offenders convicted of offenses on or after January 1, 1992, and who are not serving a sentence for the following offenses:

           (i) A sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541.

           (ii) A crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B).

           (iii) Any offense which would constitute a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, regardless of the date of conviction.

           (2)(a) An offender convicted of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B), without a prior conviction of a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541, shall earn diminution of sentence at a rate of one day for every three days in actual custody held on the imposed sentence, including time spent in custody with good behavior prior to sentencing for the particular sentence imposed as authorized by Code of Criminal Procedure Article 880.

           (b) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to an offender if his instant conviction is for a crime that is listed both as a crime of violence pursuant to R.S. 14:2(B) and sex offense pursuant to R.S. 15:541.

           (c) The provisions of this Paragraph shall apply only to offenders who commit an offense or whose probation or parole is revoked on or after November 1, 2017.

           (3) An offender convicted of a fourth or subsequent nonviolent felony offense shall earn a diminution of sentence at a rate of one day for every two days in actual custody held on the imposed sentence, including time spent in custody with good behavior prior to sentencing for the particular sentence imposed as authorized by Code of Criminal Procedure Article 880. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to any person who has been convicted of a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541.

           C. Diminution of sentence pursuant to this Section shall not be allowed to be earned by an inmate in a parish prison or in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections if any of the following apply:

           (1) The inmate has been sentenced as a habitual offender under the Habitual Offender Law as set forth in R.S. 15:529.1.

           (2) The instant offense is a sex offense.

           D. Repealed by Acts 2024, 2nd E.S., No. 7, §2, eff. April 29, 2024.

           E. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any offender in the custody of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections who has been sentenced as an habitual offender pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 15:529.1 may earn additional good time for participation in certified treatment and rehabilitation programs as provided for in R.S. 15:828(B), unless the offender was convicted of a sex offense as defined by R.S. 15:541 or a crime of violence as defined by R.S. 14:2(B).

           F. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a person convicted in the death of a victim killed in the line of duty as a peace officer or first responder shall earn diminution of sentence at a rate of one day for every thirty days in custody.

           G.(1) No later than August first of each year, the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall submit an annual report to the legislature relative to offenders released from custody during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to the provisions of this Section. This report shall include the following information:

           (a) The name and offender number of the released offender.

           (b) The date on which the offender was released.

           (c) The offense for which the offender was incarcerated at the time of his release, including whether the offense was a crime of violence as defined in R.S. 14:2(B) or a sex offense as defined in R.S. 15:541.

           (d) A grid which shows the earliest release date that offenders would have been eligible for release notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3 of Act No. 280 of the 2017 Regular Session of the Legislature.

           (e) Whether the offender obtained a GED certification or completed a literacy program, an adult basic education program, or a job skills training program before being released from custody.

           (2) Any information relative to juvenile offenders that is exempt from release pursuant to a public records request or otherwise considered confidential by law shall be redacted from the report provided for by this Subsection.

           H. No person who commits an offense on or after August 1, 2024, shall be eligible to earn nor be entitled to any diminution of sentence or good time, except as provided in R.S. 15:571.3.1.

           Amended by Acts 1991, No. 138, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 1011, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 110, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 149, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 150, §1; Acts 1995, No. 946, §3; Acts 1995, No. 1099, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 832, §1; Acts 1999, No. 223, §1; No. 963, §2; Acts 2001, No. 809, §1, eff. June 26, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 636, §1; Acts 2006, No. 174, §1; Acts 2006, No. 220, §1; Acts 2006, No. 572, §1; Acts 2008, No. 30, §1, eff. August 15, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 649, eff. Oct. 15, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 186, §2, eff. August 15, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 110, §1, eff. August 1, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 181, §1, eff. August 1, 2012; Acts 2014, No. 602, §5 and §7, eff. June 12, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 811, §7, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2015, No. 184, §2, eff. August 1, 2015; Acts 2017, No. 280, §3, eff. November 1 2017; Acts 2018, No. 670, §1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2023, No. 463, §1, eff. August 1, 2023; Acts 2024, 2nd E.S., No. 7, §§1 & 2, eff. April 29, 2024; Acts 2024, 2nd E.S., No. 21, §1, eff. March 3, 2024; Acts 2025, No. 158, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 285 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 1974–2025 · leading case: Paul Massey v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 149 So. 3d 780 (La. 2014).
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Paul Massey v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 149 So. 3d 780 (La. 2014). · cites it 19× “We are asked to decide which version of the good time statute applies to Massey—the law in effect at the time he committed his 1 Massey argues attempted molestation is not an enumerated offense under La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3, even as it was enacted in 2006.”
State v. Wilson, 360 So. 2d 166 (La. 1978). · cites it 18× “R.S. 15:571.3, as amended by La. Acts 1977, No.”
State Ex Rel. Bickman v. Dees, 367 So. 2d 283 (La. 1978). · cites it 8× “R.S. 15:571.3 which stated as follows: No inmate in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections who has been convicted one or more times under the laws of this state of first or second degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated battery; aggravated, forcible or simple…”
State v. Melancon, 536 So. 2d 430 (La. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 10× “He argues that because his case does not fall within the provisions of R.S. 15:571.3 C which prohibit the earning of good time, the trial court did not have the discretion to prohibit his eligibility for good time.”
Hayward v. Marshall, 603 F.3d 546 (9th Cir. 2010). · cites it 2× “§§ 21-4706 , -4722; La.Rev. Stat. Ann. § 15:571.3; Md.Code Ann.”
Williams v. Creed, 978 So. 2d 419 (La. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 8× “This computation included good time credit for time served on both counts, pursuant to the provisions of LSA-R.S. 15:571.3 that were in effect when his offenses were committed.”
State v. Curtis, 363 So. 2d 1375 (La. 1978). · cites it 5× “In 1975 the legislature amended R.S. 15:571.3 to provide in subsection C that a person sentenced as a multiple offender after September 15, 1975 could, on order of the court, be denied benefit of diminution of sentence for good behavior.”
State of Louisiana v. Sean Holloway, 217 So. 3d 343 (La. 2016). · cites it 4× “14:2(B) but otherwise falling under the general definition of a crime of violence, however, the Department would defer to the trial court.”
Jackson v. Phelps, 506 So. 2d 515 (La. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 6× “We agree with defendant's contentions that plaintiff's authorities are not dispositive of the issue before us.”
State v. Ball, 824 So. 2d 1089 (La. 2002). · cites it 2× “" La Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B). A full and accurate statement of the life option available to the jury in a capital sentencing hearing therefore includes not only the possibility of a governor's exercise of his powers of commutation and pardon but also the possibility of further…”
State v. Dorthey, 623 So. 2d 1276 (La. 1993). “-R.S. 15:571.3(B)-(C). [4] Commonly known as the "geriatric release provision", L.”
Carmona v. Andrews, 357 F.3d 535 (5th Cir. 2004). · cites it 2× “R.S. 15:571.3. In revoking Carmona’s parole, the Board of Parole only re-instituted the trial court’s original sentence.”
Show all 285 citing cases →
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(0): 3 cases
State of Louisiana v. Sean Holloway, 217 So. 3d 343 (La. 2016). “14:2(B) but otherwise falling under the general definition of a crime of violence, however, the Department would defer to the trial court.”
Townley v. State, Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 762 So. 2d 154 (La. Ct. App. 2000).
Randolph v. Day, 747 So. 2d 772 (La. Ct. App. 1999).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(A): 9 cases
State v. Christoff, 788 So. 2d 660 (La. Ct. App. 2001).
Owens v. Stalder, 965 So. 2d 886 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
State v. Singleton, 688 So. 2d 486 (La. 1997).
Martin v. Foti, 561 F. Supp. 252 (E.D. La. 1983).
State v. Christmann, 692 So. 2d 1155 (La. Ct. App. 1997).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(A)(1): 5 cases
State v. Blanchard, 786 So. 2d 701 (La. 2001).
State v. White, 68 So. 3d 508 (La. 2011).
State v. Cortina, 632 So. 2d 335 (La. Ct. App. 1993).
State v. Brown, 56 So. 3d 1095 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
Washington v. Stalder, 24 So. 3d 1029 (La. Ct. App. 2009).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(A)(2): 1 case
State v. Wiley, 68 So. 3d 583 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B): 25 cases
State v. Ball, 824 So. 2d 1089 (La. 2002). “" La Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B). A full and accurate statement of the life option available to the jury in a capital sentencing hearing therefore includes not only the possibility of a governor's exercise of his powers of commutation and pardon but also the possibility of further…”
State v. Dorthey, 623 So. 2d 1276 (La. 1993). “-R.S. 15:571.3(B)-(C). [4] Commonly known as the "geriatric release provision", L.”
State Ex Rel. Bickman v. Dees, 367 So. 2d 283 (La. 1978). “R.S. 15:571.3 which stated as follows: No inmate in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections who has been convicted one or more times under the laws of this state of first or second degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated battery; aggravated, forcible or simple…”
Jackson v. Phelps, 506 So. 2d 515 (La. Ct. App. 1987). “We agree with defendant's contentions that plaintiff's authorities are not dispositive of the issue before us.”
State v. Curtis, 363 So. 2d 1375 (La. 1978). “In 1975 the legislature amended R.S. 15:571.3 to provide in subsection C that a person sentenced as a multiple offender after September 15, 1975 could, on order of the court, be denied benefit of diminution of sentence for good behavior.”
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(1): 8 cases
Paul Massey v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 149 So. 3d 780 (La. 2014). “We are asked to decide which version of the good time statute applies to Massey—the law in effect at the time he committed his 1 Massey argues attempted molestation is not an enumerated offense under La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3, even as it was enacted in 2006.”
State v. LeBlanc, 41 So. 3d 1168 (La. 2010).
Branch v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 111 So. 3d 1059 (La. Ct. App. 2012).
State v. Ellis, 67 So. 3d 623 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
State v. Deville, 74 So. 3d 774 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(1)(a): 4 cases
State v. Williams, 224 So. 3d 1194 (La. Ct. App. 2017).
State v. Solomon, 80 So. 3d 605 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
State v. Hernandez, 250 So. 3d 356 (La. Ct. App. 2018).
State of Louisiana v. Dominic Dewane Harris (La. Ct. App. 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(1)(b): 1 case
State of Louisiana v. Dominic Dewane Harris (La. Ct. App. 2024).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(2): 1 case
Florez v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 175 So. 3d 407 (La. 2015).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(2)(a): 4 cases
State v. Strother, 49 So. 3d 372 (La. 2010).
State v. Moss, 17 So. 3d 441 (La. Ct. App. 2009).
State v. Honea, 268 So. 3d 1117 (La. Ct. App. 2018).
State v. Honea, 268 So. 3d 1117 (La. Ct. App. 2018).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(2)(b): 2 cases
Paul Massey v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 149 So. 3d 780 (La. 2014). “We are asked to decide which version of the good time statute applies to Massey—the law in effect at the time he committed his 1 Massey argues attempted molestation is not an enumerated offense under La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3, even as it was enacted in 2006.”
State v. Prejean, 999 So. 2d 1135 (La. 2009).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(3)(g): 1 case
Brown v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 169 So. 3d 394 (La. Ct. App. 2015).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(l)(a): 3 cases
Branch v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 111 So. 3d 1059 (La. Ct. App. 2012).
Gilmer v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 181 So. 3d 746 (La. Ct. App. 2015).
State v. Solomon, 80 So. 3d 605 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(B)(l)(b)(iii): 1 case
Branch v. Louisiana Dep't of Pub. Saf. & Corr., 111 So. 3d 1059 (La. Ct. App. 2012).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C): 55 cases
State Ex Rel. Bickman v. Dees, 367 So. 2d 283 (La. 1978). “R.S. 15:571.3 which stated as follows: No inmate in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections who has been convicted one or more times under the laws of this state of first or second degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated battery; aggravated, forcible or simple…”
Whittington v. Wall, 657 So. 2d 1058 (La. Ct. App. 1995).
State v. Davis, 918 So. 2d 1186 (La. Ct. App. 2005).
State v. Braziel, 968 So. 2d 853 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
State v. Siegel, 376 So. 2d 492 (La. 1979).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(1): 16 cases
State v. Curtis, 363 So. 2d 1375 (La. 1978). “In 1975 the legislature amended R.S. 15:571.3 to provide in subsection C that a person sentenced as a multiple offender after September 15, 1975 could, on order of the court, be denied benefit of diminution of sentence for good behavior.”
Frederick v. Ieyoub, 762 So. 2d 144 (La. Ct. App. 2000).
State v. Tatten, 116 So. 3d 843 (La. Ct. App. 2013).
State v. Mosby, 581 So. 2d 1060 (La. Ct. App. 1991).
State v. Jones, 963 So. 2d 382 (La. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(1)(f): 1 case
State v. Lathers, 444 So. 2d 96 (La. 1983).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(1)(q): 4 cases
State v. Jones, 778 So. 2d 1131 (La. 2001).
Madison v. Ward, 825 So. 2d 1245 (La. Ct. App. 2002).
State v. Butler, 646 So. 2d 925 (La. Ct. App. 1994).
State v. Williams, 764 So. 2d 1164 (La. Ct. App. 2000).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(1)(r): 1 case
State v. Davis, 918 So. 2d 1186 (La. Ct. App. 2005).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(1)(s): 1 case
State v. Braziel, 968 So. 2d 853 (La. Ct. App. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(2): 10 cases
State v. Curtis, 363 So. 2d 1375 (La. 1978). “In 1975 the legislature amended R.S. 15:571.3 to provide in subsection C that a person sentenced as a multiple offender after September 15, 1975 could, on order of the court, be denied benefit of diminution of sentence for good behavior.”
State v. Conrad, 646 So. 2d 1062 (La. Ct. App. 1994).
State v. Tate, 593 So. 2d 864 (La. Ct. App. 1992).
State v. Scott, 651 So. 2d 1344 (La. 1995).
State v. Jones, 963 So. 2d 382 (La. 2007).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(4): 1 case
Moore v. Stalder, 5 So. 3d 313 (La. Ct. App. 2009).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(4)(E): 3 cases
State v. GMW, JR., 916 So. 2d 460 (La. Ct. App. 2005).
State v. Fontenot, 934 So. 2d 935 (La. Ct. App. 2006).
State v. Jeansonne, 931 So. 2d 1258 (La. Ct. App. 2006).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(4)(e): 1 case
State v. Urena, 161 So. 3d 701 (La. Ct. App. 2014).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(l)(a): 1 case
Lewis v. Day, 708 So. 2d 1152 (La. Ct. App. 1998).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(l)(c): 1 case
State v. Mincey, 32 So. 3d 219 (La. 2010).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(l)(j): 1 case
Milton v. Acklin, 57 So. 3d 584 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(l)(m): 1 case
State v. Ngo, 738 So. 2d 718 (La. Ct. App. 1999).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(l)(q): 1 case
State v. Smith, 777 So. 2d 1223 (La. 2001).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(C)(q): 1 case
State v. Brown, 764 So. 2d 197 (La. Ct. App. 2000).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(D): 8 cases
George v. Baker, 746 So. 2d 783 (La. Ct. App. 1999).
Coates v. Day, 804 So. 2d 893 (La. Ct. App. 2001).
Sullivan v. Pitre, 944 So. 2d 632 (La. Ct. App. 2006).
State v. Lewis, 930 So. 2d 100 (La. Ct. App. 2006).
State v. Young, 862 So. 2d 312 (La. Ct. App. 2003).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(D)(2): 1 case
Collins v. LeBlanc (M.D. La. 2021).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(E): 1 case
State v. Williams, 224 So. 3d 1194 (La. Ct. App. 2017).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(c)(2): 1 case
Canty v. Day, 756 So. 2d 384 (La. Ct. App. 1999).
La. Rev. Stat. § 15:571.3(p): 1 case
State v. Munson, 81 So. 3d 830 (La. Ct. App. 2011).
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