Based on the tracking of approximately 140,000 offenders released from Wisconsin prisons from 1990 to 2011, this report shows recidivism trends for the State.
Recidivism rates in Wisconsin continue to decrease steadily. This report defines recidivism as "a new offense resulting in a conviction and sentence to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections." From 2007 to 2009, the 3-year follow-up recidivism rate decreased by 7.1 percent. This continued a long-term trend of decreasing recidivism rates since 1993; between 1993 and 2009, the 3-year recidivism rate decreased by 33.6 percent. Recidivism from 2000-2011 include: males recidivated at a consistently higher rate than females for all release years and follow-up periods; recidivism rates decreased as offender age increased; offenders ages 20-29 composed the largest group of recidivists; of the offenders who recidivated within the 3-year follow-up period, 50 percent did so within the first year after release from prison; Black offenders had slightly higher recidivism rates than White offenders, but rates for both groups showed a consistent decline over the report period; offenders discharged directly from prison without supervision had higher recidivism rates than those released to supervision. Recidivism rates were highest for offenders with three or more prior periods of confinement. The largest number of recidivists committed public order offenses, followed by property offenses, violent offenses, and drug offenses. Extensive tables and figures