Policy Text
Correctional Services 4/04 (REV 12/16)
Work Release
OPERATIONS ORDER
Taking of Good Time/Work Time
The purpose of this Order is to define the available Good Time and Work Time which a
sentenced inmate may lose due to inappropriate behavior.
I. General Guidelines
A. California Penal Code 4019 es tablished the basis for crediti ng Good
Time/Work Time to an inmate’s sentence. 1. Good Time is awarded one day fo r every four days in custody
“unless it appears by the record that the prisoner has not
satisfactorily complied with th e reasonable rules and regulatio ns
established by the sheriff …” ( PC 4019(c)).
2. Work Time is awarded one day for every four days in custody
“unless it appears by the record that the prisoner has refused to
satisfactorily perform labor as assigned by the sheriff…” (PC
4019(b)).
B. California Code of Regulations , Title XV mandates Good Time/ Work Time
may be lost as a result of disci pline if certain procedures are followed.
“The consequences of a major violation may include, but are not
limited to, loss of good time/wor k time, placement in disciplin ary
isolation, disciplinary isolatio n diet, or loss of privileges m andated
by regulations.” (Title XV, 1081(c))
C. The appellate court case In re Walrath [Crim. No. 37222. Cou rt of Appeals
of California, Second Appellate District, Division Five. June 2 , 1980.] (106
C.A. 3d 426) clarifies the guide lines for removing Good Time/Wo rk Time.
D. Work Release Division Ops Order 4/03, Program Participant Di sciplinary
Process, lists the policy and procedures fo r removing Good Time/Work
Time from sentences.
II. Disciplinary Process
A. Prior to any good time/work t ime credits being removed from an inmate’s
sentence, the inmate must be affo rded “due process” per Califor nia Code
of Regulations, Title XV, Article 7, Section 1081.
Correctional Services 4/04 (REV 12/16)
Work Release
B. The Facility Commander, or hi s/her designee, will be respons ible for
imposing any discipline. 1. In the disciplinary process the actual taking of good time/w ork time
can only be taken by a Facility Commander or his/her designee.
III. Good Time/Work Time Available to be Taken
A. Any Good Time that will be ear ned on a sentence may be taken in whole
or in part on the first day o f the sentence throughout the last day of the
sentence if “ it appears by the record that the prisoner has not satisfactori ly
complied with the reasonable rule s and regulations established by the
sheriff.” (PC 4019(C))
B. Any Work Time that will be earn ed on a sentence may be taken in whole
or in part on the first day o f the sentence throughout the last day of the
sentence if “it appears by the re cord that the prisoner has ref used to
satisfactorily perform labor a s assigned by the sheriff.” (PC 4019(B))
IV. Multiple Commitments
A. Time served on multiple commi tments will be served in the or der of
commitment issuance date; i.e., ti me will be served on the olde st
commitment first.
B. When multiple commitments ar e issued on the same date, the
commitment with the smallest docket number will be served first .
C. Once the time owed on a co mmitment has been served, one may not take
Good Time/Work Time away from t hat commitment in a future disci plinary
action.
D. One may take all or part of any Good Time/Work Time on the c ommitment
currently being served or on any commitment the inmate will be serving.
Appendices: None
Related Orders: Operations Order 4/03
References: In re Walrath [Crim. No. 37222. Court of Appeals of Californ ia,
Second Appellate District, Divis ion Five. June 2, 1980.] (106 C .A.
3d 426)
California P enal Code 4019
California Code of R egulations, Title XV, Article 7, Section 1 081