NCJ Number
81283
Date Published
Unknown
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This paper summarizes a 5-year study of correctional recidivism in Iowa. The findings illustrate the advantages and potential of a statewide data collection system for supporting corrections research at the State level.
Abstract
The study employed data on offenders released from State adult correctional institutions between 1973-76 and from probation and parole caseloads and community residential facilities during 1974-79, as well as data on adults sentenced for felonies in the State during 1974-78. Detailed current offense, criminal history, and sociodemographic data were analyzed. Numerous recidivism rates were examined, and thousands of categories of data were studied in an effort to pinpoint characteristics of high and low risk offenders. Study data indicate that recidivism is not as great a problem among ex-prisoners in the State as believed and that alternatives to traditional corrections do not necessarily have lower rates of recidivism than more traditional programs. Moreover, most of the variation in recidivism rates among correctional alternatives, treatment programs, service delivery systems, and geographical areas in Iowa was due to the characteristics of the offenders served and not to any specific benefits of the intervention employed. Thus, recidivism rates are directly contingent on the ability or willingness of criminal justice decisionmakers to identify those offenders most prone to recidivism and to prevent them from fulfilling this potential. The incapacitation of such individuals can substantially reduce correctional recidivism rates. Decisionmakers should recognize that crime is a phenomenon of youth and that the bulk of recidivism-prone offenders in the justice system are teenagers and young adults. They should institute career criminal prosecution programs aimed at the conviction and incapacitation of those individuals most prone to recidivism. Identification of these individuals should be based on empirical research and not on perceived seriousness of the offender's prior record or assumptions connecting the severity of an offense and the need for protection of society. Systems of sentencing, parole, custody, supervision, and pretrial release guidelines should be installed to ensure greater degrees of consistency and purpose in criminal justice decisionmaking. Risk assessment should also be incorporated into this system. The paper includes tables, footnotes, a graph, and a general strategy for persons contemplating recidivism research.