Recidivism among prisoners: who comes back?

This study examined recidivism in an Australian correctional population. Three different groups of offenders were identified from their recidivism profiles: low-risk or slow recidivists, moderate-risk or delayed recidivists, and high-risk or rapid recidivists. Slow recidivists were more likely to be younger Indigenous men, with a history of both drug use and parole suspension or cancellation. Delayed recidivists were more likely to be younger non-Indigenous women serving shorter sentences. Rapid recidivists were differentiated only by being more likely to serve shorter sentences. Data were drawn from the Queensland Corrective Services Integrated Offender Management System. The findings will be useful to policymakers and practitioners working in corrections and related fields