Recidivism of Prisoners Released in 34 States in 2012: A 5-Year Follow-Up Period (2012-2017)

• NCJ Number: 255947
• Author(s): Matthew R. Durose; Leonardo Antenangeli
• Date Published: July 2021
• Length: 34 pages
• Agencies: BJS
• Publication Type: Publication

Abstract

This report describes the recidivism patterns of state prisoners released in 2012, for 5 years following release, by their demographic characteristics, commitment offense, and prior criminal history. The report also compares the recidivism rates of prisoners released in 2012 to those of prisoners released in 2005 and 2008.

Highlights include:

• About 6 in 10 (62%) prisoners released across 34 states in 2012 were arrested within 3 years, and 7 in 10 (71%) were arrested within 5 years.
• Nearly half (46%) of prisoners released in 2012 returned to prison within 5 years for a parole or probation violation or a new sentence.
• Eleven percent of prisoners released in 2012 were arrested within 5 years outside of the state that released them.
• Eighty-one percent of prisoners age 24 or younger at release in 2012 were arrested within 5 years of release, compared to 74% of those ages 25 to 39 and 61% of those age 40 or older.