NCJ Number
186119
Date Published
1999
Length
63 pages
Annotation
Return-to-custody statistics are presented for all inmates released from the New York State Department of Correctional Services in 1995; return rates are based on a 3-year follow-up period and are analyzed according to several demographic and legal history characteristics.
Abstract
Among 27,492 inmates released in 1995, 11,666 (42.4 percent) returned to custody within 3 years, including 16.8 percent returned as new commitments and 25.6 percent returned for parole violations. Inmates released by a decision of the Board of Parole had return rates similar to inmates released on their conditional release dates. Of the 11,666 inmates who returned to custody within 3 years, 66 percent were re-committed within the first 18 months after their release. Women had a much lower rate of return than men, and the gender difference was especially apparent for new felony returns. Inmates originally convicted of a property offense had the highest rate of return among crime groupings, while drug offenders had the lowest rate of return. Among 1995 releases who returned for the commitment of a new crime, more offenders (51 percent) were returned for a new drug offense than for any other offense category. Younger releases were more likely to return than older inmates. Black inmates had the highest rate of return (46 percent), followed by Hispanic and white inmates (39 percent each). Offenders who had been sentenced as predicate felons had a higher return rate (47 percent) than offenders sentenced as first felony offenders (36 percent). Offenders with longer aggregate minimum sentences were less likely to return for the commission of a new crime, and offenders with aggregate maximum sentences of life were least likely to return. Tables and figures