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referred to as "out-of-State" arrests). convictions in RAP sheets. For such Return to prison Two recidivism Data on arrests came from State RAP reasons, this study uses rearrest more measures are returned to prison - sheets and FBI RAP sheets. RAP often than reconviction as the measure with a new sentence sheets (Records of Arrest and Prose- of recidivism. with or without a new sentence. cution) are law enforcement records Recidivism defined as Returned to intended to document a person's entire Rearrest forms a conservative meas- prison with a new sentence pertains adult criminal history, including every ure of reoffending because many exclusively to sex offenders who, within arrest, prosecution and adjudication for crimes do not result in arrest. Not all 3 years following release, were recon- a felony or serious misdemeanor types of crime are alike in this regard. victed for any new crime in any State offense. Arrests, prosecutions and Crimes committed in nonpublic places following their release and received a adjudications for minor traffic offenses, (such as in the victim's home) by one new prison sentence for the new crime. public drunkenness, and other petty family member against another (such crimes are not as fully recorded as as by the husband against his wife, or Recidivism defined as Returned to those for serious crimes. The "percent by the father against his own child) are prison with or without a new sentence rearrested" is calculated by dividing the a type that is less likely than many includes resentenced offenders plus number rearrested by the number other types to be reported to police any who were returned to prison within released from prison in 1994. and, consequently, less likely to result 3 years because they had violated a in arrest. Sex crimes, particularly those technical condition of their release. All measures of recidivism based on against children, are a specific Technical violations include things such criminal records are subject to two example of this type. While some sex as failing a drug test, missing an types of errors. Type 1 errors arise offenders in this study probably com- appointment with their parole officer, or when the arrest or the conviction in the mitted a new sex crime after their being arrested for a new crime. Offend- released prisoner's record is for a release and were not arrested or con- ers returning to prison for such viola- crime that person did not commit. victed, the study cannot say how many. tions are sometimes referred to as Type 2 errors arise when the released "technical violators." prisoner commits a crime but he is not As mentioned above, one reason why arrested for it, or, even if he is, the sex offenders are not arrested is that Prisons should not be confused with arrest does not result in his conviction. no one calls the police. Results from jails. A prison is a State or Federal the National Crime Victimization Survey correctional facility reserved for Some amount of type 1 and type 2 indicate that the offenses of convicted persons with relatively long error is inevitable, however recidivism rape/sexual assault are the least likely sentences (generally over a year). is measured. But that does not mean crimes to be reported to the police. A jail is a local correctional facility for that all recidivism measures are equally (See Reporting Crime to the Po/ice, convicted persons with short sentences suitable, no matter the purpose they 9993-2000, March 2003, <http://Www. or for persons awaiting trial. Returns to are intended to serve. The main ojp.usdoj/bjs/abstract/rcpOO.htm>.) prison refer to any prison, not neces- purpose of this recidivism study was to sarily the same prison that released the document the percentage of sex Reconviction Except where stated offender in 1994. offenders who continued their involve- otherwise, this recidivism measure ment in various types of crime after pertains to State and Federal convic- The "percent returned to prison with a their release from prison in 1994. The tions in any State (not just convictions new sentence" is calculated by dividing more suitable measure for that is the in the State that released them) in the the number returned to prison with a one with the fewest type 2 errors: the three years following release. Informa- new sentence by the number released one, in other words, less prone to tion on convictions came from State from prison in 1994. The "percent saying someone is not committing and FBI RAP sheets. RAP sheets are returned to prison with or without a new crimes when he actually is. Between intended to document every conviction sentence " is calculated by dividing the rearrest and reconviction as the recidi- for a felony or serious misdemeanor, number returned to prison with or vism measure, the one less likely to but not every conviction for a minor without a new sentence by the number make that type of error is rearrest. offense. "Percent reconvicted" is calcu- released from prison in 1994. One reason is that the rigorous lated by dividing the number recon- standard used to convict someone - victed by the number released from Data on returns with a new sentence "proof beyond a reasonable doubt" - prison in 1994. (It is not calculated by are based on State and FBI RAP makes it certain that guilty persons will dividing the number reconvicted by the sheets. Data on returns with or without sometimes go free. Another reason is number rearrested.) a new sentence are based on State record keeping: the justice system and FBI RAP sheets plus prison does better at recording arrests than records. 6 Recidivism of Sex Offenders Re/eased from Prison in 9994 5OA-55