Ireland towards top for reconviction rates

Research records rate of 44.6% after one year for prisoners released in 2019

Of individuals followed up one year after their community service, Ireland was second (31% reconviction rate) behind the Netherlands (38.8%).

Ireland has one of the highest reconviction rates both among released prisoners and those who have served community sentences, research shows.

In what is thought to be the first analysis of its type, the research examined studies from 33 countries, including 19 in Europe.

The research does caution that differences between countries can reflect variations in reporting practices — with Ireland getting a ‘good’ overall rating — as well as other factors.

It found that recidivism figures showed that released prisoners had a reconviction rate, within two years, of between 18% and 55% across the 33 countries.

Those who have served community sentences reported reconviction rates of between 10% and 47%, it said.

A breakdown of reconviction rates among released prisoners shows:

• Ireland had a reconviction rate of 44.6% after one year for prisoners released in 2019, second highest after the North, which was marginally higher (44.9%);
• The next highest after one year were Scotland (43.8%) and Sweden (43%);
• Ireland did not have figures for two years after release, with Australia scoring the highest rate (54.9%); 
• Ireland had the highest reconviction rate (62.3%) after three years for prisoners released in 2016, ahead of the US (33 states), which had a rate of 61.5%. However, only eight of the 33 countries had statistics for the three-year period.

The research, published in the Journal of Criminal Justice, said that nine of the countries explored the impact of the covid pandemic on recidivism, with those reports noting a decrease in recidivism during that time.

In relation to reconvictions among community-sentenced individuals, Ireland had follow-on research from three years (2016, 2017, and 2018).

The figures show:

• Of individuals checked one year after their community service, Ireland was second (31% reconviction rate) behind the Netherlands (38.8%);
• Two years after the service, Ireland was third (43% reconviction rate) behind the Czech Republic (48%) and Denmark (45.6%);
• Three years after the service, Ireland was the highest (48%) of four countries that had data, with Sweden in second place (38%). 

The study, conducted by the Department of Psychiatry at University of Oxford, said some countries, including Ireland, “regularly provide detailed statistical reports” on their legal and prison systems.

The researchers were also able to gather research from seven countries, including Ireland, in relation to specific crimes people were originally jailed and sanctioned for and examined the recidivism rates.

For those who served sentences for drug offences, Ireland had a reconviction rate of 31%, fourth behind Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.

In relation to property crimes, such as theft and burglary, Ireland had the joint highest rate (57%) with Norway. In comparison, Scotland and Denmark had a rate of 46%.

For those sentenced for a sexual crime, Ireland was third highest (15%), some way behind Denmark (29%) and Norway (26%).