What is the recidivism rate?
A 3 year recidivism study of 2,524 criminally sentenced inmates released from DOC institutions in 2002 yielded the following results: within the first year postrelease 521 (21 %) of the 2,524 released inmates recidivated, an additional 327 (13%) recidivated in the second year post-release, and another 160 (6%) recidivated within the third year post-release. The overall recidivism rate for inmates released in 2002 over the span of 3 years was 40%. (For the purposes of the 2002 Recidivism study, recidivism is defined as inmates who were reincarcerated post-release).
A 3 year recidivism study of 2,344 criminally sentenced inmates released from DOC institutions in 2004 yielded the following results: within the first year postrelease 516 (22%) of the 2,344 released inmates recidivated, an additional 331 (14%) recidivated in the second year post-release, and another 158 (7%) recidivated within the third year post-release. The overall recidivism rate for inmates released in 2004 over the span of 3 years was 43%. A recidivist is defined as any criminally sentenced inmate released to the street from a DOC facility during 2004 who is re-incarcerated for a new sentence or violation of parole or probation to a Massachusetts State or County facility or to a Federal facility within three years of his/her release.
