NCJ Number
99183
Editor(s)
M Chesney-Lind
Date Published
1984
Length
63 pages
Annotation
This research identifies the factors related to the recidivism of adult offenders given probation in 1979 by the of adult offenders given probation in 1979 by the Third Circuit Court of Hawaii County.
Abstract
A total of 147 adults were sentenced to probation by the Third Circuit Court in 1979, but the authorities lost track of 7 of these probationers during the 3-year followup period. Probation records were analyzed for each person from the probation date in 1979 until December 31, 1982. Recidivism (defined as any arrest for any reason during the study period) was the dependent variable; the independent variables pertained to personal and family background, education, employment, present offense, and prior criminal record. The Pearson and Phi regressions as well as the chi-square techniques were used for correlation analysis. The study found that probationers with prior criminal records were more likely to recidivate than first offenders. Probationers with poor educational and employment backgrounds were also significantly more likely to recidivate. Although family income was weakly related to recidivism, it was the only aspect of family background with any apparent relation to recidivism. None of the correlations were very strong, suggesting the need for further research. Tabular data, the data-collection instrument, and a list of 22 references are provided.