Hypothesis: At least fifty percent of people convinced of serious crimes and sent to prison will commit additional crimes and be returned to prison. In May of 2004, the United States Sentencing Commission issued a report on the re-arrest, re-conviction, and re-incarceration of former inmates who were tracked for three years after their release from prison in 1994. This study of recidivism found that of the nearly 300,000 prisoners released in 15 States in 1994, 67.5% were re-incarcerated within 3 years. The report contained the following additional information:
Released prisoners with the highest re-arrest rates were burglars at 74.0%, larcenists at 74.6%, those in prison for possessing or selling stolen property at 77.4%, and motor vehicle thieves with a recidivism rate of 78.8%.
Within three years, 2.5% of released rapists were arrested for another rape.
1.2% of individuals who had served time for homicide were arrested for another homicide.
The 272,111 offenders discharged in 1994 had accum
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= 677
= 3 (250 words per page)
