Recidivism & Offending Behaviour

• Recidivism is the rate at which people reoffend after punishment.
• Recidivism is the relapse into criminal behaviour after being convicted and punished for a crime.
• Recidivism is a key measure of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
• Recidivism rates in ex-prisoners tell us to what extent prison acts as an effective deterrent.
• It is difficult to obtain clear figures for recidivism rates as it can depend on whether the figures are within a year of release or longer.
• Typically in the UK, the Ministry of Justice reports proven figures within one year of release (this means the person has been caught).
• Yukhnenko et al (2019) reported recidivism rates to be about 45% in the UK.
• The UK Ministry of Justice (2013) showed that 47% of prisoners reoffended within a year of release from prison. This increases to 59% for offenders who serve a sentence of less than one year.
• It is suggested by the UK Ministry of Justice (2013) that 73% of under 18s convicted of a crime will reoffend within a year of release.
• Recidivism rates vary with time period after release, age of offender and crime committed. There are also cross-cultural variations. The USA, Australia and Denmark regularly record rates in excess of 60%, whereas in Norway rates are as low as 20% (Yukhnenko et al, 2019).
• Yukhnenko et al (2019) suggested that recidivism rates are significantly lower in Norway because there is less emphasis on incarceration and more emphasis on rehabilitation.
• The data on recidivism may be unreliable as only those who are caught reoffending are included in the statistics. In reality the true figures are likely to be much higher.
• The data on the causes of recidivism may not be valid, as when offenders are asked why they reoffend, they often lack insight into their own motivations and blame the system rather than taking accountability themselves.
• The National Audit Office (2012) suggested that reoffending is estimated to cost the UK economy between £9.5 and £13 billion per year.
• As the cost of reoffending is so high it is important that sentencing has an agenda of rehabilitation and education.
• Equipping offenders for life after prison is a major challenge for the criminal justice system.
• Gillis et al (2005) found a 15% drop in recidivism rates when prisoners were given training and support to enter the workplace on their release from prison.
• There are many reasons why prison is not effective and reoffending rates are high such as institutionalisation, ineffective punishment and mental health or substance misuse issues.
• Institutionalisation is a feeling of dependence from an inmate towards life in prison. For some prisoners the routine of life in prison is better than that outside.
• Ineffective punishment suggests that prison is not working. In many cases there is a long delay between committing the crime and being admitted to prison, this lessens the effect of punishment.
• Many people sentenced to prison have pre-existing mental health disorders and addictions, some of which may have played a part in why they committed the crime.