NCJ Number
80588
Date Published
1981
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study represents a 5-year community followup to determine the recidivism rate of individuals paroled or discharged from Massachusetts correctional institutions during the year 1973.
Abstract
A goal of the study is to determine the validity of the corrections department's traditional use of 1-year followup studies for determining recidivism rates. The results of the 1-year followup studies have been used to justify the retention and expansion of a reintegration model believed to be linked to a downward trend in recidivism. This study consists of a population of 960 individuals, all released directly to the community. The chief criterion used for determining recidivism was whether or not the releasee was returned to prison, either for a technical violation of parole or for a commitment for a new offense. Jail or house of correction sentences of less than 1 month were not counted. The second criterion was the length of time out before return. Each subject was followed for 5 years from the date of release. During the 5-year followup, 9 persons died, reducing the sample size in the analysis to 951. Data were derived mainly from the computerized data base developed by the Correction and Parole Management Information System and from the files of the Department of Correction, the parole board, and the board of probation. The data were analyzed on the Massachusetts State College Computer Network. Analysis revealed that 44 percent of the population was returned to prison within 5 years of release. This recidivism rate is a little more than double the rate originally determined in the 1-year followup study. Variation in recidivism rates occurred among individual releasing institutions from a high of 55 percent to a low of 28 percent. Tables are provided. (Author abstract modified)