Recidivism

Definition

Recidivism is the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend, returning to criminal behavior after having been previously punished or rehabilitated. It serves as a critical measure of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in deterring crime and rehabilitating offenders.

Related terms

Rehabilitation:

The process aimed at enabling convicted criminals to be productive members of society, often through educational or psychological treatment.

Probation: A court-ordered period of supervision in the community, typically instead of imprisonment, aimed at monitoring and rehabilitating an offender.

Parole: The release of a prisoner temporarily for a special purpose or permanently before the completion of a sentence, on the promise of good behavior