How do recidivism rates compare?
Bee reporter Brad Branan wrote today about his analysis of Fresno County Jail data. He found that about 20% of inmates released early over the last year were booked again into the jail. One reader asked for more context about recidivism rates. Here's a note from Brad on the question:
My story this morning about inmates released early from the Fresno County Jail said 20% of them have been booked again on suspicion of other charges. Comparisons are difficult, but here's some more information:The recidivism rate for felons released from state prison is 39% overall, and 52% for inmates paroled in Fresno County, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The rate is calculated by counting the number of felons released from prison who are returned to prison within a year.
There are some key differences in the figures.
On one hand, prison inmates are generally incarcerated for more serious offenses than those at the jail, suggesting they might be more likely to reoffend.
On the other, the state figures cover a longer period of time than the one I studied. The state figures cover a full year for each inmate. In my study, three-fourths of the inmates released early had only been out on the streets a month or less.
As a result, the rate can be expected to rise over time, a point local officials agree on. As I wrote in today's story:
"But [Mims] concedes that the number of crimes committed by inmates released early will likely go up. A study once found that 80% of jail inmates had been booked there at least once before, she noted."
Comments:
Jack and Brad,
Thank you for the follow up. I really appreciate the response.
Looking at all those recidivism rates, I think the real challenge is not how to get the funding to keep inmates in jail for their full sentence. The challenge is how to reorganize our correction system to rehabilitate and make positive citizens out of former criminals. Our current system unfortunately harbors criminal behavior and has created somewhat of a criminal class.
Japan does it right. Their average sentances are much lower than that in the US. And their recidivism rate is also much lower.
Posted by: kiel at September 9, 2009 3:14 PM
Brad, you say, "On one hand, prison inmates are generally incarcerated for more serious offenses than those at the jail, suggesting they might be more likely to reoffend."
Are you suggesting this or do you have other sources or studies that are informing that suggestion.
As well, you conclude, "A study once found that 80% of jail inmates had been booked there at least once before, she noted."
When was this study? How old is that figure?
Posted by: adam at September 9, 2009 4:15 PM
I don't have studies examining whether jail inmates are more likely to re-offend than prison inmates. It seems likely, though, because prison generally incarcerates more serious offenders.
I think Mims said the jail study was done in 2005.
Posted by: Brad at September 9, 2009 4:36 PM
There seems to be much suprise that reoffenders are so high. Those that decide on their own not to won't. Those that are unwilling to change their ways will. Those who are in the middle get little, if any, help from CDC to encourage good living. Why the suprise? If we really want to change then commit time and money to efforts to influence those in the middle, and help those who want to keep out of trouble. The parole and probation policies as well as little rehabilitation efforts all do not encourage and may well help the repeaters to repeat!.
Posted by: Charles at September 10, 2009 12:14 PM
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