Recidivism in Australia : findings and future research - Australian ...

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Recidivism in Australia: findings and future research
(continued)
Selected recidivism research 1995–2006
Publication
year Title Key recidivism findings Comments
Author
Recidivism was measured as reconviction
and reimprisonment.
This study followed 838 offenders released
from prison in Victoria between 1985 and
1986. The results indicated that:
1996 Recidivism rates
in a custodial
population:
the influence of
criminal history,
offence and
gender factors.
Ross S &
Guarnieri T
Other findings were:
• male and female prisoners were equally
likely to be reconvicted and reimprisoned
• within seven years after release 74% were
reconvicted for at least one offence
• risk of reconviction was higher for offenders
with younger ages of first offence and/or
a greater number of prior offences
• around 25% were reconvicted within three
months of release
• within seven years after release, 54% were
reimprisoned at least once.
• risk of reconviction and reimprisonment
was higher for those convicted of
property offences.
This study examined the offender profiles of
those arrested for drug offences in Western
Australia in 1996. The analysis was undertaken
to determine whether the arrest offender was a
‘old’ offender – defined as an offender with a
prior record of conviction. The results indicated
that the proportion of the 1996 drug arrests
attributable to ‘old’ offenders were:
1997 Taking the profit
out of drug
trafficking
Western Australia.
Parliament. Select
Committee Into
the Misuse of
Drugs Act 1981
• 71% for drug possession and
trafficking offences
• 87% where the possession offence was
for heroin, and 70% for cannabis
• 77% where the trafficking offence was
for heroin and 69% for cannabis.