(a) Eligible inmate means an inmate who is serving an indeterminate sentence with a minimum term of eight years or less.

(b) Work and treatment program means the program(s) and/or work assignment(s) recommended or assigned by the inmate's correction counselor or the facility program committee, and any other approved independent or voluntary program in which the inmate may participate during his period of incarceration.

(c) Certificate means a certificate of earned eligibility which the commissioner may, in his discretion, issue to an eligible inmate prior to his board appearance if it is determined that the inmate has successfully participated in appropriate programs.

(d) Noncertifiable status means the status granted to those eligible inmates who through no fault of their own have been unable to participate in programs for most or all of their period of incarceration. Inmates may be granted noncertifiable status if they have been in reception center status, in a hospital or infirmary, in protective custody, out to court, or have not yet been assigned a program. Noncertifiable status represents neither a positive nor a negative recommendation to the board.