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Varying Time Criteria in Recidivism Follow-Up Studies - A Test of the 'Cross-Over Effects' Phenomenon

NCJ Number
88341
Author(s)
D P LeClair
Date Published
1983
Length
21 pages
Annotation
A comparison of a 1-year and a 5-year followup study on recidivism in Massachusetts denied a significant role to 'cross-over effects,' a phenomenon whereby results detected in a 1-year followup become reversed in the second or third year.
Abstract
All trends in recidivism remained unchanged upon 5 years of followup. The following major original research findings were validated in the 5-year followup: a systematic reduction in recidivism rates, a relationship between participation in a furlough program with reduced recidivism rates, a relationship between the institution's security level and reduced recidivism rates, and an association between participation in prerelease reintegration centers and lower recidivism. These findings are summarized in a set of appended tables. Twenty-three references are supplied.