NCJ Number
95357
Date Published
1984
Length
42 pages
Annotation
In a study of recidivism in Hawaii, 115 offenders released on parole in 1978 and 1979 were tracked to determine their criminal activity until January 1984.
Abstract
Over this period, 79 (68.7 percent) were rearrested. Of those rearrested, 72 percent were convicted, and 72 percent of these were incarcerated. At the end of the study period, 24 offenders were in Hawaiian prisons, and 6 were in mainland prisons. Of those rearrested, 72.2 percent were rearrested within 2 years of release, and 19 percent were first rearrested on drug-related or drunk driving charges. A large percentage (40.5) were rearrested for at least one violent crime. While on parole, about 54 percent were rearrested for nontraffic offenses, and 75 percent of these were convicted. Of the variables examined, few were found to be associated with rearrest. Offenders unemployed at the time of incarceration were more likely to be rearrested than were employed offenders. Prior criminal history also was significant, with those offenders having six or more previous arrests and those with juvenile convictions being more likely to be rearrested. Insignificant variables were marital status, age at conviction or release, percentage of sentence served, total time served, place of birth, or imprisonment for a violent crime. However, age apparently influenced the number of rearrest charges. As a whole, criminal activity decreased during the postrelease period compared to the preincarceration period.