54,660 Arizona inmates released over the period 1990-1999 were followed
for return to ADC custody.
42.4% returned to custody within 3 years of release (return to custody
rate).
24.5% returned to custody with a new felony conviction within 3 years of
release (recommitment rate).
7.9% returned to custody with a new felony conviction for a violent crime
within 3 years of release.
Approximately 80% of inmates who return to custody (ever) will do so in
the first three years.
Approximately 50% of inmates who will be recommitted for a new offense
(ever) will be recommitted in the first three years.
Among males, the return to custody rate was 43.2% and the
recommitment rate was 25.6%.
Among females, the return to custody rate was 35.9% and the
recommitment rate was 16.0%.
Rehabilitation program involvement was found to reduce recidivism by 25%
after two years of release.
2,171 fewer inmates were recommitted within two years of release as a
result of rehabilitation programming.
Recidivism rate reductions were the highest (34.0%) for prison industry
programs.
Lesser reductions occurred for substance abuse programs (28.0%),
non-industry in-prison work programs (27.9%), vocational education (27.7%),
and academic education (17.2%).
A higher level of inmate program involvement correlates with a greater
reduction in recidivism. High program involvement will reduce recidivism by
35% or more.
The effectiveness of academic education increases with the level of
education attained, i.e., college and other post secondary education is more
effective than GED programming, which, in turn, is more effective than adult
basic education.
For the treatment of drug abuse, therapeutic community programming is
more effective than is less intensive substance abuse education.
Rehabilitation program effectiveness is hampered by a lack of time in
prison, i.e., under one year served.
The greatest reductions in recidivism occur for those who program and
serve ten years or more.
Successful completion of the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) was
found to dramatically reduce recidivism among sex offenders.
Inmates released to supervision record significantly lower recidivism
rates than do comparable inmates released without supervision.
Inmates sentenced under Truth-in-Sentencing laws have higher recidivism
rates than do old code inmates.
Other factors found to correlate with recidivism include:
Prison/street gang affiliation (validated Security Threat Group
members have the highest recidivism rates).
Offender age at admission and release (younger offenders have the
highest recidivism rates).
Narcotics use history and educational attainment.
The nature of the committing offense (property crimes and robbery
show the highest recidivism rates).
Prior criminal record (inmates with 3 or more prior committing
offenses show the highest recidivism rates).
Prior institutional violence correlates with violent recidivism.
