# Title 12 — Corrections, Parole, and Probation

## Chapter 12-54.1 — Sentence Reduction for Good or Meritorious Conduct

### § 12-54.1-01. Sentence reduction.

Except as provided under section 12.1-32-09.1, an offender committed to the legal and
physical custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation is eligible to earn sentence
reductions based upon performance criteria established through department and penitentiary
rules. Performance criteria includes participation in court-ordered or staff-recommended
treatment and education programs and good work performance. The department may credit an
offender committed to the legal and physical custody of the department who is eligible for
sentence reduction five days good time per month for each month of the sentence imposed. The
department may credit an offender with sentence reduction for time spent in custody before
sentencing and commitment to the legal and physical custody of the department. The
department may not credit an offender with any sentence reduction for time spent on probation
under the supervision and management of the department.
### § 12-54.1-02. Basis for good conduct sentence reduction.

Repealed by S.L. 1991, ch. 118, § 4.
### § 12-54.1-03. Meritorious conduct sentence reduction.

Except as provided under section 12.1-32-09.1, offenders committed to the legal and
physical custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation may receive a lump sum or
a monthly rate of meritorious conduct sentence reduction for outstanding performance or heroic
acts or as a special control and security measure, as provided by penitentiary and department
rules and upon written recommendation of a department multidisciplinary team. Meritorious
sentence reductions are in addition to sentence reductions under section 12-54.1-01 and may
be made only after a written recommendation is made by the warden and approved by the
director of the department. Any sentence reduction for special control or security measures may
not exceed two days good time per month per offender.
### § 12-54.1-04. Basis for meritorious conduct sentence reduction.

Meritorious conduct sentence reductions may be awarded for any of the following
performances or acts:
1. Exceptional quantity and quality of work far beyond normal expectations for the job
assignment.
2. Beneficial suggestions resulting in substantial savings to the state.
3. Acts of outstanding heroism.
4. Acts which protect the lives of employees or other inmates or the property of the
institution.
Meritorious conduct sentence reductions must be awarded upon written recommendation of the
warden and approved by the director of the department of corrections and rehabilitation on a
lump sum basis resulting from separate recommendations and approvals. Such reductions may
not be awarded on a continuing days-per-month basis beyond the month in which a reduction
award is made. Such sentence reductions may not be granted for any month in which the
performance sentence reduction under section 12-54.1-01 was withheld or forfeited.
