This report presents recidivism statistics on state prisoners released in 2008 during the 10 years following their release. The report describes the recidivism patterns of state prisoners released in 2008 by demographic characteristics, commitment offense, and prior criminal history. This is BJS’s first recidivism study with a 10-year follow-up period.
Highlights:
- About 66% of prisoners released across 24 states in 2008 were arrested within 3 years, and 82% were arrested within 10 years.
- The annual arrest percentage among prisoners released in 2008 declined from 43% in Year 1 to 22% in Year 10.
- About 61% of prisoners released in 2008 returned to prison within 10 years for a parole or probation violation or a new sentence.
- Sixteen percent of prisoners released in 2008 were arrested within 10 years outside of the state that released them.