Performance Incentive Credits (PIC)
In accordance with Official Code of Georgia (hereinafter “O.C.G.A.”) § 42-5-101, the Georgia Department of Corrections (the “GDOC”) and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles (the “Georgia Parole Board”) initially implemented the Performance Incentive Credit (“PIC”) program on April 1, 1993. The PIC program allows offenders to earn a reduction in their Tentative Parole Month through program completions, work detail performance and maintaining good institutional conduct.
The PIC program is applicable in most inmate cases with several exceptions. Inmates in the following circumstances are not eligible to participate in the PIC program:
- a. Inmates serving in boot camp;
- b. Inmates under a sentence of death;
- c. Inmates serving a life sentence;
- d. Inmates serving a short sentence (defined as being sentenced to two years or less); and
- e. Inmates convicted of a serious violent felony (as defined in O.C.G.A. §17-10-6.1: aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, armed robbery, kidnapping, murder and rape, committed on or after January 1, 1995.)
However, inmates who were convicted of HB 1607 offenses (as defined by O.C.G.A. §42-9-45(f)), are eligible for the PIC program. HB 1607 offenses include aggravated assault, aggravated battery, arson in the first degree, cruelty to children, homicide by vehicle while DUI or habitual violator, incest, racketeering (RICO), statutory rape, trafficking drugs and voluntary manslaughter. The written PIC policy directs that offenders serving for these offenses must serve one-third of the court mandated sentence and will not receive PIC below one-third of the sentence.
Upon offenders’ entry into the prison system, their counselors will develop a Case Plan for each offender. The Case Plan lists the specific programs the offender is required to complete prior to parole or release in order to earn PIC points. PIC points may be earned for Programs/Case Plan completions and Work Detail participation. Each point corresponds to one month of credit. For those offenders who are eligible for PIC, the credits are calculated by the GDOC as follows:
Programs/Case Plan:
- Education 1 point
- Vocational 1 point
- Cognitive Behavior Programs 1 point
- Substance Abuse Programs 1 point
- SOPP (Sex Offender) 1 point
- Mental Health Groups 1 point
Offenders receive one PIC point for completion of each category listed above. Those who complete their entire Case Plan receive 6 PIC points, which is the maximum number of points allowed for Programs/Case Plan.
Work Details:
Special Details: Mobile/Prison Industry/Fire Services/Food and Farm
- 12 consecutive months on detail 2 points
- 18 consecutive months on detail 4 points
- 24 consecutive months on detail 6 points
Outside Details / County Camps/Administrative Aides
- 12 consecutive months on detail 1 point
- 18 consecutive months on detail 2 points
- 24 consecutive months on detail 3 points
- 30 consecutive months on detail 4 points
- 36 consecutive months on detail 5 points
- 42 consecutive months on detail 6 points
The maximum number of PIC points which offenders can earn for participation on Work Details is 6 PIC points.
Offenders may earn 6 Programs/Case Plan PIC points and 6 Work Details PIC points, for a maximum of 12 PIC points.
The Parole Board maintains discretion in determining whether earned PIC points will be applied in an offender’s case to advance the offender’s TPM.