What is Recidivism?

Recidivism refers to an individual's tendency to re-offend (repeat offenders) after being released from prison or completing their sentence. It’s a key measure in criminal justice to assess the effectiveness of rehabilitation and correctional programs. Reducing recidivism has a variety of benefits including but not limited to:

A key component to reducing recidivism is helping people reintegrate into society. Reentry programs uncomplicate the process of rejoining society by helping individuals find employment, acquire education, manage substance abuse, and get access to essential services. This helps reduce crime rates and ultimately strengthens communities by making them safer. 

Given the imbalance in the justice system where marginalized communities make up much of the incarcerated community, finding ways to keep these individuals from returning supports social equity. Reducing recidivism in these communities helps stabilize the lives of the formerly incarcerated and their families. Jail diversion programs are another important part of creating this equity, offering an alternative to traumatic jail sentences. 

Reducing recidivism also saves money. Reentry programs, jail diversion, and speciality courts cost less than typical incarceration. Also, keeping offenders in the community, under supervision, is often more affordable than housing them in correctional facilities. Minimizing repeat offenders means lower incarceration costs, costs related to crimes, and costs of crime victimization. Lower these costs means less taxpayer dollars go to individuals being trapped in the system.