How Sentence Credits Work in Tennessee Prisons — What Families Need to Know
Sentence credits can shift a projected release date, but they're not automatic. Here's how Tennessee's behavior, program, and bonus credits work, plus what to do if the release date math doesn't add up.
In Tennessee prisons, behavior credits reduce sentence time for staying out of disciplinary trouble. During the first calendar year of imprisonment, these credits add up at four days per month. After that first year, the rate bumps to six days per month.
Program credits are separate from behavior credits. Someone in a full-time program may earn up to six program credits per month. The exact number depends on program staff evaluations, so two people in different programs (or with different participation levels) won't necessarily earn the same amount.
There's also a bonus layer for people classified as minimum custody. They receive an extra two bonus behavior credits per month and two bonus program credits per month on top of their regular credits.
Heads up: If someone gets a disciplinary conviction in a given month, behavior and bonus behavior credits won't be awarded for that month. Verbal reprimands are the exception.
Housing status matters too. Tennessee policy says behavior, program, and bonus credits may not be awarded in any month when someone is classified as maximum custody or sentenced to punitive segregation. If you notice a sudden jump in the projected release date, ask whether a custody reclassification or time in punitive segregation lines up with that month's missing credits.
DNA testing impact: Someone convicted of refusing to provide blood for DNA testing won't be awarded behavior credits (including bonus behavior credits) each month until they provide a specimen.
- ✓ Disciplinary conviction (except verbal reprimands) blocks behavior and bonus behavior credits for that month (TDOC Offender Handbook, p. 5).
- ✓ Maximum custody classification or punitive segregation can block behavior, program, and bonus credits for that month (TDOC Offender Handbook, p. 5).
- ✓ Disciplinary conviction for refusing to provide blood for DNA testing blocks behavior credits, including bonus behavior credits, each month until a specimen is provided (TDOC Offender Handbook, p. 6).
Sentence credits reduce time served, which is why families often see projected release dates shift when credits are awarded or withheld. Behavior credits are the most common example: four days per month during the first calendar year, then six days per month after that, assuming the month qualifies under the rules. Program credits and minimum custody bonuses can also move the projection when they apply.
Note: The policy doesn't include worked calculation examples. If a date change doesn't make sense, verify it through the institutional process that routes questions to the Record Office and, if needed, Sentence Information Services (SIS).
- Submit a CR-3118 to the counselor - The first institutional step is for the inmate to submit the inquiry on Form CR-3118 (Inmate Inquiry or Information Request) to their counselor. The forms are available in the counselor’s office.
- Ask for a Record Office review - If the counselor cannot resolve it, the inmate should request that the counselor forward the CR-3118 to the institution’s Record Office personnel to address the problem.
- Request forwarding to SIS - If the Record Office cannot resolve the problem, the inmate should request that the inquiry be forwarded to Sentence Information Services (SIS) for a reply.
Practical Tips and Verification
- ✓ Ask your loved one to write the concern clearly on the CR-3118 and keep a copy of what they submitted (or a detailed note of the date and what was requested).
- ✓ If the counselor cannot fix it, have your loved one request forwarding to the Record Office, then track when that forwarding happened.
- ✓ If it still isn’t resolved, have them request that the Record Office forward the inquiry to SIS, and ask for the response in writing if possible.
- ✓ Keep a simple timeline at home: when any disciplinary conviction happened, when custody level changed (especially to maximum custody), and any time spent in punitive segregation, since those months can affect credit awards.
- ✓ If program credits are part of the issue, have your loved one confirm what program staff reported for that month’s credits before assuming a number.
Before relying on a new projected release date, check the basics that commonly stop credits for a month. A disciplinary conviction (other than a verbal reprimand) means no behavior or bonus behavior credits for that month. Credits may also be withheld in months when someone is classified as maximum custody or sentenced to punitive segregation. And if there's a conviction for refusing DNA testing, behavior credits (including bonuses) won't be awarded until a specimen is provided.
Common pitfall: Families sometimes rely on informal, word-of-mouth release dates. When accuracy matters, stick to the CR-3118 path. Don't assume program credit amounts without confirmation from program staff.
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