Actual recidivism rates for each chart appear in the associated table. The table provides data for selected follow-up periods from six months to six years after prison release. For an explanation of how to interpret these charts see Recidivism Rate Curves . Click on the chart or table icon below for a larger image. For more information on the methodology and statistical procedure used to measure these factors' relative influence on recidivism see the Technical Appendix .
Younger offenders reoffend at much higher rates than older offenders.
For prison releases since 1993, inmates who recidivated previously do so again at higher rates than those without a prior recidivism event. Some factor other than race may account for much of the difference between black and white male offenders' recidivism rates because the race difference is larger for males than for females. Education grade level tests are given to all offenders entering prison. Test results are available whether or not an inmate received education programming in prison. Property offenders recidivate slightly more than drug offenders.