17-A §1253. Calculation of period of imprisonment
Title 17-A: MAINE CRIMINAL CODE
Part 3:
Chapter 51: SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT
§1253. Calculation of period of imprisonment
1. The sentence of any person committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections shall commence to run on the date on which that person is received into the correctional facility designated as the initial place of confinement by the Commissioner of Corrections pursuant to section 1258. That day is counted as the first full day of the sentence.
The sentence of any person committed to the custody of a sheriff shall commence to run on the date on which that person is received into the county jail specified in the sentence. That day is counted as the first full day of the sentence if the term of imprisonment, or the initial unsuspended portion of a split sentence, is over 30 days; otherwise, credit is accorded only for the portion of that day for which the person is actually in execution of the sentence.
[ 1985, c. 821, §11 (RPR) .]
1-A. When a person is sentenced to a concurrent sentence as authorized by section 1256, subsection 7, the provisions of this section shall apply and shall be administered by the supervisory officer of this State's institution when the person is committed to the custody of the department, or by the sheriff of this State's county jail when the person is committed to the custody of the sheriff. If the person is released from imprisonment under the sentence of the other jurisdiction prior to the termination of this State's sentence, the remainder of this State's sentence shall be served at the appropriate state institution or county jail.
[ 1985, c. 282, §6 (RPR) .]
2. Each person sentenced to imprisonment who has previously been detained for the conduct for which the sentence is imposed in any state facility or county institution or facility or in any local lockup awaiting trial, during trial, post-trial awaiting sentencing or post-sentencing prior to the date on which the sentence commenced to run either to await transportation to the place of imprisonment specified, or pursuant to court order, and not in execution of any other sentence of confinement, is entitled to receive a day-for-day deduction from the total term of imprisonment required under that sentence. Each person is entitled to receive the same deduction for any such period of detention in any federal, state or county institution, local lockup or similar facility in another jurisdiction, including any detention resulting from being a fugitive from justice, as defined by Title 15, section 201, subsection 4, unless the person has simultaneously been detained for non-Maine conduct. A person who has been simultaneously detained for conduct for which the person is sentenced to a consecutive sentence is not entitled to receive a day-for-day deduction from the consecutive sentence for the period of simultaneous detention except for any period of detention that is longer than the total term of imprisonment required under the prior sentence.
For the purpose of calculating the day-for-day deduction specified by this subsection, a "day" means 24 hours.
The total term required under the sentence of imprisonment is reduced by the total deduction of this subsection prior to applying any of the other deductions specified in this section or in Title 30-A, section 1606.
The sheriff or other person upon whom the legal duty is imposed to deliver a sentenced person who has been detained as specified in this subsection shall, within 30 days of delivery, furnish to the custodian a statement showing the length of that detention. In addition, the transporter shall furnish to the attorney for the State the same statement. The custodian shall use the statement furnished to determine the day-for-day deduction to which the person is entitled, if any, unless, within 15 days of its receipt, the attorney for the State furnishes a revised statement to the custodian.
A. For any person who commits a crime on or after August 1, 2004, is subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime and is entitled to receive a day-for-day deduction pursuant to this subsection, up to 2 additional days per calendar month may be credited to that deduction if the person's conduct during that period of detention was such that the credit is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer of the facility in which the person has previously been detained.
Credits under this paragraph must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
| Days of partial month | Maximum credit available |
| 1 to 15 days | up to 1 |
| 16 to 31 days | up to 2 |
The sheriff or other person required to furnish a statement showing the length of detention shall also furnish a statement showing the number of days credited pursuant to this paragraph.
Detention awaiting trial, during trial, post-trial awaiting sentencing or post-sentencing prior to the date on which a sentence commences to run is not punishment. [2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §15 (NEW).]
[ 2005, c. 507, §16 (AMD) .]
2-A. For the purpose of calculating the term of imprisonment, when used by a sentencing court, the words "day," "week," "month" and "year" have the following meanings.
A. A "day" means 24 hours. [1985, c. 285, §2 (NEW).]
B. A "week" means 7 days. [1985, c. 285, §2 (NEW).]
C. A "month" means 30 days. [1985, c. 285, §2 (NEW).]
D. A "year" means 365 days. [1985, c. 285, §2 (NEW).]
[ 1985, c. 285, §2 (RPR) .]
3. Beginning October 1, 1983, a person sentenced to imprisonment for more than 6 months is entitled to receive a deduction of 10 days each month for observing all rules of the department and institution. The period from which the deduction is made must be calculated from the first day the person is delivered into the custody of the department and includes the full length of the unsuspended portion of the sentence. This provision does not apply to the suspended portion of the person's sentence pursuant to section 1203 nor does it apply to the suspended portion of a sentence under section 1262. For the purpose of calculating good time under this subsection, a month is 30 days and a year is 12 months.
A. Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months.
| Days of partial month | Maximum good time credit available |
| 0 - 2 days | |
| 3 - 5 days | 1 |
| 6 - 8 days | 2 |
| 9 - 11 days | 3 |
| 12 - 14 days | 4 |
| 15 - 17 days | 5 |
| 18 - 20 days | 6 |
| 21 - 23 days | 7 |
| 24 - 26 days | 8 |
| 27 - 29 days | 9 |
| 30 days | 10 |
[ 1993, c. 518, §1 (AMD) .]
3-A.
[ 1983, c. 456, §4 (RP) .]
3-B. Beginning October 1, 1983, each person sentenced to imprisonment for 6 months or less is entitled to receive a deduction of 3 days per month calculated from the first day of that person's delivery into the custody of the department, to include the full length of the unsuspended portion of that person's sentence, for observing all the rules of the department and institution, except this provision does not apply to the suspended portion of a person's sentence pursuant to split sentences under section 1203. For the purpose of calculating good time under this subsection, a month is 30 days and a year is 12 months.
A. Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months.
| Days of partial month | Maximum good time credit available |
| 0 - 7 days | |
| 8 - 15 days | 1 |
| 16 - 23 days | 2 |
| 24 - 30 days | 3 |
[ 1993, c. 518, §2 (AMD) .]
4. Up to an additional 3 days per month may be deducted in the case of those inmates committed to the Department of Corrections who are assigned or participating in work, education or other responsibilities within the institution or program that are determined to be of sufficient importance to warrant those deductions by the institution head in accordance with policy and guidelines established by the Department of Corrections. For the purpose of calculating meritorious good time under this subsection, a month is a calendar month.
A. Deductions made under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months.
| Days of partial month | Maximum meritorious good time credit available |
| 1 - 10 days | up to 1 |
| 11 - 20 days | up to 2 |
| 21 - 31 days | up to 3 |
[ 1993, c. 518, §3 (AMD) .]
5. In addition to the provisions contained in subsection 4, up to 2 days per month may also be deducted in the case of those inmates assigned to and participating in minimum security or community programs administered by the Department of Corrections. These deductions may also apply in the case of those inmates assigned to or participating in minimum security or community programs through agencies providing services to the Department of Corrections. These deductions may be authorized for work and responsibilities, to include public restitution, that are considered to be of sufficient importance to warrant those deductions by the institution head in accordance with the Department of Corrections policy and guidelines. For the purpose of calculating meritorious good time under this subsection, a month is a calendar month.
A. Deductions made under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial months.
| Days of partial month | Maximum meritorious good time credit available |
| 1 - 15 days | up to 1 |
| 16 - 31 days | up to 2 |
[ 1993, c. 518, §4 (AMD) .]
6. Any portion of the time deducted from the sentence of any person pursuant to subsection 3 or 3-B may be withdrawn by the supervising officer of the institution for the infraction of any rule of the institution, for any misconduct or for the violation of any law of the State. The withdrawal of deductions may be made at the discretion of the institution head, in accordance with policies and guidelines established by the Department of Corrections, who may restore any portion thereof if the person's later conduct and outstanding effort warrant that restoration.
[ 1983, c. 456, §8 (NEW) .]
6-A. When a judgment of conviction involving a term of imprisonment is vacated or a sentence involving a term of imprisonment is revised or reviewed and a new sentence involving a term of imprisonment is thereafter imposed upon the person for the same offense, day-for-day credit must be accorded on the new sentence both for each day the person served in execution of the initial sentence and for all previously earned deductions specified in subsections 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 and Title 30-A, section 1606. Prior to the day-for-day credit being given on the new sentence, the new sentence must, after first having been reduced by any deductions specified in subsection 2 previously or subsequently received, have applied to it the controlling deduction specified in either subsection 3 or 3-B, if applicable.
[ 2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §16 (AMD) .]
7. Notwithstanding the fact that subsections 3, 3-B and 4 directly address only persons who are committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections, they apply also to persons who are committed to the custody of a sheriff. Subsection 5 and subsection 10, paragraph B do not apply to persons who are committed to the custody of a sheriff.
[ 2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §17 (AMD) .]
8. For any person who commits a crime on or after October 1, 1995 and is subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime, up to 5 days per calendar month may be deducted from that term, calculated from the date of commencement of that term as specified under subsection 1, whose conduct, participation in programs and fulfillment of assigned responsibilities during that month are such that the deduction is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer of the state facility or the sheriff of the county jail.
A. Deductions under this subsection must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
| Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
| 1 to 6 days | up to 1 |
| 7 to 12 days | up to 2 |
| 13 to 18 days | up to 3 |
| 19 to 24 days | up to 4 |
| 25 to 31 days | up to 5 |
B. Any portion of the time deducted from the sentence of any person pursuant to this subsection may be withdrawn by the chief administrative officer of the state facility for a disciplinary offense or for the violation of any law of the State in accordance with Title 34-A, section 3032 and the rules adopted under that section, or by the sheriff of the county jail in accordance with jail disciplinary procedures. Deductions may be withdrawn for months already served or yet to be served by the person up to and including the maximum authorized for that sentence. [1995, c. 433, §4 (NEW).]
C. The chief administrative officer of the state facility or the sheriff of the county jail may restore any portion of deductions that have been withdrawn if the person's later conduct, participation in programs and fulfillment of assigned responsibilities are such that the restoration is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer or sheriff. [1995, c. 433, §4 (NEW).]
D. This subsection supersedes subsections 3, 3-B, 4, 5 and 6 for persons who commit offenses on or after October 1, 1995. [1995, c. 433, §4 (NEW).]
[ 1995, c. 433, §4 (NEW) .]
9. Time may be deducted from a term of imprisonment as a result of conduct in accordance with this subsection.
A. For a person who commits a crime, except for a crime set forth in subparagraphs (1) to (6), on or after August 1, 2004 and is subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime, up to 4 days per calendar month may be deducted from that term, calculated from the date of commencement of that term as specified under subsection 1, if that person's conduct during that month is such that the deduction is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer of the state facility or the sheriff of the county jail. Deductions under this paragraph may not be applied to the sentence of a person who commits:
(1) Murder;
(2) A crime under chapter 11;
(3) A crime under section 556;
(4) A crime under section 854, excluding subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1);
(5) A crime under chapter 12; or
(6) A crime against a family or household member under chapter 9 or 13 or section 506-B, 554, 555 or 758.
Deductions under this paragraph must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
| Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
| 1 to 7 days | up to 1 |
| 8 to 15 days | up to 2 |
| 16 to 23 days | up to 3 |
| 24 to 31 days | up to 4 |
B. Any portion of the time deducted from the sentence of any person pursuant to this subsection may be withdrawn by the chief administrative officer of the state facility for a disciplinary offense or for the violation of any law of the State in accordance with Title 34-A, section 3032 and the rules adopted under that section, or by the sheriff of the county jail in accordance with jail disciplinary procedures. Deductions may be withdrawn for months already served or yet to be served by the person up to and including the maximum authorized for that sentence. [2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]
C. The chief administrative officer of the state facility or the sheriff of the county jail may restore any portion of deductions that have been withdrawn under paragraph B if the person's later conduct is such that the restoration is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer or the sheriff. [2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]
[ 2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]
10. Time may be deducted from a term of imprisonment as a result of fulfillment of assigned responsibilities in accordance with this subsection.
A. In addition to the days of deduction provided for in subsection 9, paragraph A, for any person who commits a crime, except for a crime set forth in subparagraphs (1) to (6) on or after August 1, 2004 and is subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime, up to 3 days per calendar month may be deducted from that term, calculated from the date of commencement of that term as specified under subsection 1, if that person's fulfillment of responsibilities assigned in the person's transition plan for work, education or rehabilitation programs during that month is such that the deduction is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer of the state facility or the sheriff of the county jail. Deductions under this paragraph may not be applied to the sentence of a person who commits:
(1) Murder;
(2) A crime under chapter 11;
(3) A crime under section 556;
(4) A crime under section 854, excluding subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1);
(5) A crime under chapter 12; or
(6) A crime against a family or household member under chapter 9 or 13 or section 506-B, 554, 555 or 758.
Deductions under this paragraph must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
| Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
| 1 to 10 days | up to 1 |
| 11 to 20 days | up to 2 |
| 21 to 31 days | up to 3 |
B. In addition to the days of deduction provided for in paragraph A, for any person who commits a crime, except for a crime set forth in subparagraphs (1) to (6), on or after August 1, 2004 and is subsequently sentenced to a term of imprisonment for that crime to a state facility, up to 2 days per calendar month may also be deducted from that term, calculated from the date of commencement of that term as specified under subsection 1, if that person's fulfillment of responsibilities assigned in the person's transition plan for community work, education or rehabilitation programs during that month is such that the deduction is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer of the state facility. Deductions under this paragraph may not be applied to the sentence of a person who commits:
(1) Murder;
(2) A crime under chapter 11;
(3) A crime under section 556;
(4) A crime under section 854, excluding subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1);
(5) A crime under chapter 12; or
(6) A crime against a family or household member under chapter 9 or 13 or section 506-B, 554, 555 or 758.
Deductions under this paragraph must be calculated as follows for partial calendar months:
| Days of partial month | Maximum deduction available |
| 1 to 15 days | up to 1 |
| 16 to 31 days | up to 2 |
C. Any portion of the time deducted from the sentence of any person pursuant to this subsection may be withdrawn by the chief administrative officer of the state facility for a disciplinary offense or for the violation of any law of the State in accordance with Title 34-A, section 3032 and the rules adopted under that section, or by the sheriff of the county jail in accordance with jail disciplinary procedures. Deductions may be withdrawn for months already served or yet to be served by the person up to and including the maximum authorized for that sentence. [2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]
D. The chief administrative officer of the state facility or the sheriff of the county jail may restore any portion of deductions that have been withdrawn under paragraph C if the person's later conduct and fulfillment of responsibilities assigned in the person's transition plan for work, education or rehabilitation programs are such that the restoration is determined to be warranted in the discretion of the chief administrative officer or the sheriff. [2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW).]
[ 2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]
11. As used in this section, "family or household member" has the same meaning as in Title 19-A, section 4002, subsection 4.
[ 2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]
12. Subsections 9 and 10 supersede subsections 3, 3-B, 4, 5, 6 and 8 for a person who commits a crime other than murder and for a person who commits a crime other than under chapter 11 or 12; under section 556; under section 854, excluding subsection 1, paragraph A, subparagraph (1); or against a family or household member under chapter 9 or 13, section 506-B, 554, 555 or 758, on or after August 1, 2004.
[ 2005, c. 207, §4 (AMD) .]
13. If a court imposes a sentencing alternative pursuant to section 1152 that includes a term of imprisonment, in setting the appropriate length of that term, as well as an unsuspended portion of that term, if any, the court may not consider the potential impact of deductions under subsections 2, 3, 3-B, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 except in the context of a plea agreement in which both parties are recommending to the court a particular disposition under the Maine Rules of Criminal Procedure, Rule 11-A.
[ 2003, c. 711, Pt. A, §18 (NEW) .]
14. The Commissioner of Corrections or the sheriff of the county jail may establish policy and guidelines for crediting hours of participation in work in excess of 8 hours in a day toward another day for the purpose of calculating deductions from a sentence under subsections 4, 5, 8 and 10.
[ 2007, c. 102, §5 (NEW) .]
SECTION HISTORY
1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW). 1977, c. 510, §§79-81 (AMD). 1977, c. 671, §§30-33 (AMD). 1979, c. 701, §31 (AMD). 1981, c. 317, §§25,26 (AMD). 1981, c. 470, §§B7,7-A (AMD). 1983, c. 450, §10 (AMD). 1983, c. 456, §§1-8 (AMD). 1985, c. 282, §6 (AMD). 1985, c. 285, §§1-3 (AMD). 1985, c. 456, §§1,2 (AMD). 1985, c. 821, §§11,12 (AMD). 1987, c. 737, §§C30,C31, C106 (AMD). 1989, c. 6, (AMD). 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). 1989, c. 104, §§C8,C10 (AMD). 1989, c. 113, §3 (AMD). 1989, c. 693, §§8,9 (AMD). 1991, c. 259, §§1,2 (AMD). 1991, c. 364, §1 (AMD). 1991, c. 737, §1 (AMD). 1993, c. 518, §§1-4 (AMD). 1995, c. 433, §§2-4 (AMD). 1997, c. 464, §4 (AMD). 2003, c. 205, §6 (AMD). 2003, c. 706, §A6 (AMD). 2003, c. 711, §§A15-18 (AMD). 2005, c. 207, §4 (AMD). 2005, c. 507, §16 (AMD). 2007, c. 102, §5 (AMD).