Milestone credits are a program in the California state prison system (CDCR) for non-violent, second strike drug offenders.
Prior to 2014, non-violent second strikers were given 20% credit for the time they served, but that number was increased to 33.3% last year. For example, under the previous system, an inmate sentenced to one year in prison would have been eligible for release after 304 days, however, under the new system the same inmate would now be eligible for release after serving 273 days in prison. These credits only apply to inmates serving time for non-violent offenses and offenses which do not require the inmate to register as a sex offender, and only apply prospectively, not retroactively.
The CDCR reported that from the time the program was implemented in February 2014 through October 2014 over 2,500 eligible inmates were released from prison under the program.
In addition to the program above, non-violent second strikers are eligible to receive up to six weeks of credits once they have completed certain in-prison programs such as academic or vocation training, or a substance abuse program.
These are the "milestone credits".
Early Parole for non-violent second strikers
The same court order that implemented the programs above, also required the state to change the timetable used to evaluate when non-violent second strikers would be considered for parole. As of January 1, 2015, non-violent second strikers are now eligible for parole consideration after having served 50% of his or her sentence. The state has defined “served 50% of their sentence” to mean “actual continuous time served in custody,” and does not take into consideration any credits.
As part of the parole review process, the District Attorney from the county in which the offender committed his or her crime and the offender’s victims will be allowed to provide feedback on whether they believe the inmate should be paroled. This information, along with that contained in the prisoner’s central file will be considered in assessing the inmate’s potential to pose an unreasonable risk to safety.
The State estimates 7,500 inmates will be eligible for this program in 2017.
Elderly Prisoner Parole
This program aims to reduce overcrowding by potentially paroling lifers and determinate-term prisoners who are 60 or older who have already served at least 25 years of their sentence. At the hearing, the Board of Parole Hearings will evaluate the prisoner’s risk to public safety, giving special attention to the inmate’s age. As it stands, eligible candidates will have “elderly parole” considered at their next regularly scheduled BPH hearing, but can ask that their case be considered earlier.
It is estimated that less than 100 inmates statewide are eligible for the program.