A system and method for decoding a block code includes receiving a first word. The first word includes parity bit values and information bit values. A first partial word including the information bit values and a first subset of the parity bit values is generated. The first partial word is decoded to generate a first refined word. The first refined word includes a first set of refined information bit values. A second partial word including the first set of refined information bit values and a second subset of the parity bit values is generated. The second partial word is decoded to generate a second refined word, the second refined word including a second set of refined information bit values.