Scope of Study
RECIDIVISM IN CONNECTICUT
Recidivism can be defined as an individual's return to crime following a criminal conviction resulting in another term of incarceration or community supervision. To determine a reasonable estimate of the overall level of criminal behavior among convicted felons, generally accepted indicators such as arrest, conviction, or incarceration rates, are measured.
The state legislature and the criminal justice system have implemented a variety of strategies to reduce the tendency of offenders to return to criminal behavior after release from prison, probation, or parole. These strategies include crime control measures (e.g., increasing the percentage of time served, imposing longer sentences, and requiring intensive community supervision) and rehabilitation programs (e.g., education, vocational training, counseling, and substance abuse treatment). Recidivism measures should be an important component in developing such strategies and evaluating their effectiveness.
The numbers of convicted adult offenders who return to prison for new crimes and/or violations of community supervision are high, but recidivism rates in Connecticut are not systematically tracked. A uniform method for measuring recidivism has yet to be developed by the state's criminal justice system.
Area of Focus
A study of recidivism in Connecticut would determine the extent convicted adult felons who are sent to prison or sentenced to probation are subsequently arrested, convicted, and sentenced either to prison, probation, or other alternative sanction for a new crime. The study would also examine the strategies implemented by the state's criminal justice system to reduce recidivism.
Areas of Analysis
Areas Not Included in Analysis
This study will not evaluate the impact of the plea bargaining process on the rates of convictions or the types of sentences imposed by the court. The effectiveness of specific crime control and rehabilitation strategies will not be evaluated in depth.