NCJ Number
214058
Date Published
January 2006
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This study examined reoffending patterns among New South Wales (Australia) offenders released to parole supervision in fiscal year 2001-2002 (n=2,793).
Abstract
The study found that by September 2004, 64 percent of the cohort had been convicted of a new offense, and 41 percent had received another custodial sentence for a new offense. Survival analyses found that the following parolee groups reoffended more quickly: those who had a greater number of prior custodial sentences; those who had one or more prior drug convictions (use or possession of heroin, cocaine, or amphetamine); younger offenders; Indigenous offenders; those released with a parole order issued by a court rather than the Parole Authority; offenders who had spent less time in custody; and those who had been serving sentences for violence, property crimes, or breaching justice orders. The followup period was a minimum of 27 months and a maximum of 39 months. The mean followup period was 33 months. "Recidivism" was defined as reappearance in a court for an offense that was allegedly committed after release on parole. The main outcome measure was the length of time to a new offense. Data were obtained on prior convictions, prior full-time custody, prior drug offenses, age, and sex. These were considered potential predictors of the length of time before reoffending. 2 tables, 7 figures, 12 notes, and 20 references