Hi there. Could you give me a clue about the definition of recidivism? I found it is very difficult to measure…

No worries.

Thanks for the information.

There is no single official definition of recidivism. Researchers have used a variety of definitions and measurements, including recidivist arrests, convictions, and incarcerations, depending on their particular interests and the availability of data. Therefore, in comparing recidivism of various groups of offenders, evaluators are well-advised to be sure that the same definitions and measurements are used for all groups. Official records from police, courts, and correctional agencies are the source of most research on adult recidivism. For offenders involved in a recidivism study, different types of records will indicate different rates of recidivism. In its studies of recidivism, the Sentencing Commission uses arrests as the primary measure of recidivism, supplemented by information on convictions and incarcerations, to assess the extent of an offender’s repeat involvement in the criminal justice system.