NCJ Number
111086
Editor(s)
J C Steiger,
D R Guthmann
Date Published
1986
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This summary of research literature on recidivism among criminal offenders addresses definitions used for recidivism and the at-risk period, recidivism prediction, risk-assessment instruments and statistical techniques, and findings regarding general recidivism and juvenile recidivism.
Abstract
Regarding general recidivism, the literature indicates that recidivists are likely to be young, single, uneducated, imprisoned for property or drug offenses, and have many previous convictions and rule violations. Other factors affecting recidivism are first arrest at an early age, unstable living arrangements, low current income, and history of opiate or alcohol use. Some personality factors associated with recidivism are lower intelligence scores, impulsivity, and emotional disturbance. Studies involving juveniles are consistent with the literature on adults. Generally, the research findings suggest that different groups of offenders reoffend for different reasons. The relationship between psychological attitudes and criminal activity has been found to vary within groups defined by offense seriousness. It is clear from the literature that risk can be predicted and that such predictions should become increasingly important in the daily decisions made in the treatment and custody of juvenile offenders. 46-item annotated bibliography and 43 references.