Project 2: and Discuss the rationale behind good behavior (early release) from US prisons - Research Paper Example

This increases the availability and provides access to adequate methods of selecting prison candidates that are due for early release from prison, as well as for placement in the community. This ensures that public safety can be maintained and even improved while fewer people get imprisoned. The main advantages of good time re that it cuts down on cost and appreciates well behaved people. Its disadvantage is that it minimizes the justice system and this system favours some people. Good-time was established as soon as states started building prisons in the 1800s.

The idea was that prisoners could reduce their sentences if they behaved well in prison. It was introduced as a way of motivating the prison management to instill good conduct among prisoners. Time reduced from a jail sentence for good behavior is known as good time. Good behavior reduces a sentence period of an inmate. It is granted if an inmate has improved his behavior. Good time is lost if an inmate displays bad conduct. Good time is different depending on the state and the credit is given by correctional management to reduce overcrowding and lawsuits in prisons (Alarid, 2013).

A prisoner is released once he completes the minimum sentence. Some rules give one day off for every five days served; this good-time law gives a deduction of one month off for the first year, two months for the second year and so on. A prisoner can get six months off a prison sentence for good behavior. Many people have objected this formula because this arrangement applies to long-term offenders than short-term offenders, who are likely to be the first time offenders and are likely to be in a better rehabilitation risk.

Earned time is offered in addition to good time. Goodtime is mainly based on good behavior and earned time if given on participation in education, vocational and other rehabilitation programs. Awarding of good-time varies from obeying