What is Mandatory Parole?
Mandatory parole means that offenders earn early release from prison or jail by accumulating “good time,” days credited for good behavior while in prison. The law requires DOC to deduct good time from the sentence imposed: one day for every two days served. If offenders do not lose their good time through misbehavior, the Department releases them after they serve two-thirds of their sentences. Good time helps the Department manage prisons because it gives offenders a reason to cooperate with institutional rules. Although the Parole Board cannot refuse to release an offender who has earned good time, it can impose release conditions to control the offender and protect public safety. The Parole Board holds revocation hearings if the offender does not comply with the conditions. See the Parole Handbook published by the Alaska Board of Parole.
