How much additional time can inmates earn through educational programs under this bill?
Short answer
Under House Bill 5287, incarcerated individuals in Illinois can earn specific amounts of sentence credit for achieving educational goals. These credits are separate from and in addition to the standard day-for-day service credit. The available credits range from 90 days for obtaining a GED to 180 days for earning a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree.
What the bill or law says
The amended text of the Unified Code of Corrections outlines specific incentives for educational achievement. The legislation retains and clarifies that inmates can earn extra time off their sentences for completing certain academic milestones. The bill specifies the following credit amounts:
- 90 days for earning a General Educational Development (GED) certificate.
- 120 days for earning an associate degree.
- 180 days for earning a bachelor’s degree.
- 180 days for earning a master’s or professional degree.
These educational credits are designed to be cumulative with the primary sentencing reform. The bill states that these credits are "in addition to the day-for-day service credit," meaning an inmate could potentially reduce their sentence significantly by combining good behavior time with educational achievements.
How it works in practice
If enacted, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) would need to track these educational accomplishments alongside daily service credits. The bill requires IDOC to provide transparent information about how these credits are earned and calculated. Specifically, IDOC must make materials available to all persons in its custody that detail eligibility, earning, revocation, calculation, and documentation of credit.
These materials must be accessible in print, posted in visible locations at each facility, and available on the department’s website. This transparency aims to ensure that incarcerated individuals understand exactly what steps they can take to reduce their sentences through education. The educational credits serve as a bonus on top of the universal day-for-day credit system, which reduces a court-imposed sentence by half for most offenses.
What the source does not answer
The provided legislative text does not specify the logistical details of how these educational programs will be funded or expanded to meet potential increased demand. It also does not clarify if there are limits on how many degrees one individual can earn for credit purposes, or if credits can be stacked indefinitely. Furthermore, the bill does not detail the consequences if an educational credential is later revoked or found to be fraudulent after credits have been applied. The text focuses on the entitlement to credit upon completion but does not outline the administrative process for verifying these credentials in real-time.