70% of burglars reoffend after jail release

Recorded reoffending rates among burglars released from prison have jumped, despite an overall reduction in criminals reoffending.

Seven out of 10 burglars released from prison in 2009 have committed another offence — mainly public order, burglary, or theft — within three years. This compares to six out of 10 of burglars released in 2008.

Central Statistics Office figures show that recorded reoffending rates for all offences are higher among those released from prison, compared to those who served their sentence in the community.