Is there a 65% law passed in Virginia for non-violent offenders?

Question

I was talking to a friend of mines who is in jail awaiting sentencing. And he mentioned that he keeps on hearing rumor about a law passed in Virginia that if a non-violent offender serves 65% of their time then they will be release. I was wondering if that was true?

Answer 1

Ah! Yet another rumor passed by inmates to get their hopes up.

Sadly, no. Time is still calculated the same. Quickly, with no particular attention to the 1000+ exceptions: Misdemeanor time (12 months or less) is calculated at 50% good time. Felony time (1 year or greater) is calculated at 85% good time. I keep hearing that but there is no real basis for it.

Thus, inmate X with a Class 4 Misdemeanor got sentanced to 5 days in jail. Thus, he will have to serve 3 days in jail. (5/2=2.5 and rounded up to 3 days. Always round up the time, never round it down for time to serve.)

I don't have the time to go into calculating the 85% time right now, but just FYI if the judge sentances an inmate to "months," that time is calculated in 31 day increments, irregardles of February. Also, time given for Child Support is always 100% to serve. (Generally, the sentance carries with it a Purge Bond, which is the full amount of the owed child support.)

Inmats with time for felony convictions (85%) can actually earn extra good time by becoming Inmate Workers. Also, the good time (that 15% they don't have to serve) can also be taken away if they "screw up" and receive Facility/Correctional Disciplinary Sanctions.

Good luck!

Answer 2

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