NCJ Number
173537
Date Published
1996
Length
55 pages
Annotation
This report provides return-to-custody statistics for all inmates released from the New York State Department of Correctional Services in 1992, based on a 3-year follow-up period.
Abstract
Out of 23,994 inmates released in 1992, 10,018 (42 percent) returned to custody within 3 years (21 percent returned as new commitments and 21 percent for violation of parole). People released through parole tended to have a slightly lower rate of return (42 percent) than did conditional releases (43 percent). The lowest rate of return was for those released at the maximum expiration of their sentence (35 percent). Of the inmates who returned, 63 percent returned within the first 18 months after their release. Women had a much lower rate of return (30 percent) than the men (43 percent). Inmates who originally were convicted of a property offense had the highest return rate (49 percent) among offense types; drug offenders had the lowest rate of return (37 percent). Among the 1992 releasees, more offenders (49 percent) were returned for a drug offense than any other offense category. Even though drug offenders had lower return rates than other crime categories, when drug offenders did return for the commitment of a new crime, they were more likely to return for another drug offense. Inmates who were younger at the time of their release tended to have higher return rates than older inmates. Black inmates showed the highest return rate (46 percent), followed by Hispanic inmates (38 percent). Offenders with longer aggregate minimum sentences were less likely to return for the commission of a new crime. Offenders with aggregate maximum sentences of life showed the lowest return rate (14 percent). Extensive tables and figures