What Constitutes Recidivism

Abstract

has a variety of meanings which are frequently used interchangeably with the result that statements or conclusions must be carefully explained and qualified. Because of this, the findings become vitiated and tend to create a morass which lacks clarity and hinders progress. In his report to the American Law Institute, Professor Sellin states Recidivism is unfortunately a term which lacks clear connotations.2 He then proceeds to consider it from three different aspects-prior commitment, prior conviction, and prior arrest. Each of these definitions relates to different data and has different significance and implications. This paper is intended to focus attention on these varying concepts and to contribute toward agreement on one measure as the basis of determining recidivism. It is hoped that such uniformity of definition will then be accepted by all official bodies. There will then no longer be different connotations, and the accumulated material will be of assistance in research that will help in the development of plans of treatment of offenders.