NCJ Number
238236
Date Published
January 2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the results of original analyses of recidivism rates for offenders who were released from prison in Texas in fiscal years (FY) 2000 and 2001, along with a review of recidivism information for other areas of the adult and juvenile criminal justice system.
Abstract
For the purposes of this report, recidivism is defined as "a return to criminal activity after previous criminal involvement." In order to calculate a recidivism rate, a group of individuals exposed to a treatment or sanction are followed over a period of time. The number that "fail" within that specified time period, divided by the total number in the group is used to determine the recidivism rate. The typical follow-up period for offenders is 3 years. This is the period of time in which the largest percentage of offenders who are likely to recidivate do so. For each of the FY years 2000 and 2001, adult correctional recidivism rates are reported. For each of the two cohorts, recidivism rates (the percentage of the total cohort returning to prison) are presented for each of 3 years as well as the 3 years as a whole. Recidivism rates are also shown for five separate Texas prison-release adult cohorts (1997- 2001). A profile of recidivists is presented for FY years 2000 and 2001. Profiles address the gender, race/ethnicity, age, and offense of initial sentence. Adult correctional recidivism rates are compared between Texas and other specific States and nationwide. Juvenile recidivism rates are shown for the release years of 1996 - 2000. In addition, recidivism rates are shown for adult parole revocation, adult community-supervision revocation rates, and juvenile probation recidivism rates. Extensive tables, notes, and appended glossary.