Almost half of prisoners released from jail in 2009 reoffended within three years.
This is a drop on the previous year.
Figures released by the CSO today show that almost 80 per cent of reoffences take place within a year of release.
In 2009, some 7,507 individuals were released from the custody of the Irish Prison Service. Of these, 3,563 or 47.5% re-offended within a three-year period
This figure was 51 per cent in 2008.
Despite the overall drop – some rises were recorded – in particular for burglary where there was an increase of 9 points from 60 to 69 per cent.
Todays figures also show the rate at which prisoners reoffend decreases with age ..55 per cent are under 21 – this fell to 27 per cent of those over 51 ..
Recidivism is also higher for men than women
The CSO suggests a degree of caution in interpreting the figures – Recidivism is based on recorded offences, but not all offences reported to the Gardai are recorded on PULSE. As a result, it is possible that the rate of recidivism would be higher if the recording gap did not exist.
