What is a projected release date?

Answer 1

The date that the prison has been told they will release the inmate. It is variable though, and can change based on new crimes being charged while incarcerated or a releasing authority changing the date. A projected release date is the first or next possible date of release in an indeterminant sentence. For instance: if offender Bob's sentence began on 1/1/09 and he received the indeterminant sentence of 3-15 years, his projected release date would be 1/1/12. As mentioned previously, a releasing authority such as a parole board or panel has the authority to change this date, usually extending it. A state's governor or the President may also change this date by commutting a sentence or issuing a pardon.

An inmate is given two release dates, ERD - Earliest Release date and Max Date - Max date. They will get out between this time. Usually the erd as long as they do not have any disciplinary problems. If they get into trouble time gets add, until their max date... Unless they commit felony's inside then that changes the release date completely.

Answer 2

It means just what is says. It is the projected release date. I do not know what state you are in, but where I practice law the jail and Department of Corrections give the defendant a projected release date. This date assumes that the defendant is a good boy and will get all of his good time credit. However, if the defendant gets in trouble for some infraction and loses some of his good time credit, then his projected release date is going to be later. Sounds like that is what happened to your friend.

Answer 3

Yes, "projected" indicates an estimated time period, the actual release could be earlier or later depending upon the individual circumstances of the case.