51% of criminals reoffend, says CSO

Six out of 10 criminals imprisoned for burglary, kidnapping, and assaults reoffended within three years of being released.

New research shows that while overall recidivism rates fell from 55% for offenders released in 2007 to 51% for 2008 convicts, reoffending rates rose in a quarter of the categories.

And although reoffending dropped among both male and female convicts overall, it increased among females aged 36 to 60.

Researchers followed up on the criminal record of those released from jail three years on, in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The report, conducted by the CSO, shows a huge jump (30%) in reoffending among those released for homicide offences, although none committed a subsequent homicide offence.

By far the lowest level of recidivism was among those released for sex offences. Of the 15% that did reoffend, none carried out a subsequent sexual offence.

The figures highlight the high level of property crime among those released, accounting for a quarter of subsequent offences.

The research shows how entrenched the problem is for those who have been jailed for property crimes. Half of reoffending thieves and burglars commit a property crime again, as well as a third of robbery convicts.

Overall, the figures show:

- 65% of public order offenders in 2008 reoffended, compared to 67% of the 2007 group;

- 61% of thieves in 2008 reoffended, compared to 67% of the 2007 cohort;

- 61% of burglars in 2008 reoffended, compared to 77% of the 2007 group;

- 47% of homicide offenders in 2008 reoffended, compared to 17% of the 2007 group;

- 15% of sex offenders in 2008 reoffended, compared to 19% in 2007.

While most categories experienced a decline in recidivism, it rose in four groups: homicide (up 30%); kidnapping (up 14%); drug offences (up 5%); and government offences (up 6%).

A breakdown of the subsequent offences show:

- 36% of reoffenders in 2008 went on to commit public order offences, followed by thefts (19%) and drug offences (12%);

- 49% of reoffending burglars went on to commit another property crime (28% burglary and 21% theft);

- 48% of reoffending thieves subsequently committed a property crime (36% theft, 10% burglary and 2% robbery);

- 33% of reoffending robbers committed another property crime (split evenly between burglary, theft, and robbery);

- 32% of reoffending drug dealers committed another drug offence.

The research follows on from a similar study of offenders who served their sentences in the community, on probation. That report showed that 41% of the 2008 group reoffended, compared to 51% of the prison group.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter said: “Although there has been a reduction in the rate of recidivism of 4.3% on the previous year [2007], a recidivism rate of 51% remains too high and I believe this rate can, and should be significantly lower.”

12 deaths

Suicide, violence, medical problems, and drugs claimed the lives of 12 prisoners in 2012, according to reports by the Inspector of Prisons.

Of the 12 deaths, eight inmates were on temporary release (TR) from prison at the time, three were in custody (all Mountjoy), and one was in hospital.

Of the deaths, detailed in 12 separate reports:

- Four were suicides;

- Three were violent deaths;

- Three were the result of medical problems;

- One was directly due to drug use;

- One was the result of an accidental fire.

In all seven cases where TR was granted, the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, had no issue with the granting of release by the Prison Service. He said in all cases it applied best practice or had good, reasonable, or humane grounds to do so.

He identified specific problems in two of the three deaths in Mountjoy and recommended changes to practices and procedures. In the third case he said further action had to be taken to deal with the drugs trade.

“The continuing influx of drugs into Mountjoy Prison and all prisons is a major issue,” he said.

“Innovative means of addressing this issue must be brought forward as a matter of urgency.”

Five of those who died were in their 20s and four were in their 30s.

In the three cases of violent deaths, the judge noted the Garda and the coroner were conducting investigations.

Three of those who died were from Munster, including two from Cork, while five were from Dublin.

justice.ie