Measuring recidivism by offense (and more)

The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) defines recidivism as a re-offense by a person previously in the criminal justice system. But is recidivism growing or declining? How likely is it that a former prisoner will re-offend? USAFacts analyzed BJS data to understand the likelihood of re-offenses and how it differs by demographic group. 

• The BJS started collecting recidivism data in 2005 by tracking prisoner records five years after release. The most recent data available is from 2017.

• Prisoners initially arrested for property crimes had the highest recidivism rates: 78% were arrested again after five years. More than half of re-offending released prisoners are arrested for public order crimes, including probation or parole violations, DUIs, possessing weapons, or other violations. These arrests had the fewest returns to prison, usually resulting in fines or jail time.
   
• American Indians and Alaska Natives were 1% of the total prison population but had the highest recidivism rate (79%). Black prisoners have the second-highest recidivism rate, at 74% over five years. They are about 40% of total prisoners.

• People first arrested before turning 18 have the highest recidivism rates by age. The rates are lowest (below 30%) for people who were first arrested at age 40 or older. Recidivism rates decrease with age, regardless of someone's age at first arrest.
   
• One-third of federal prisoners released in 2010 did not find work within four years. A Census Bureau study found that employed former prisoners earned $10,000 less per year than peers with similar educational backgrounds.

How likely are re-offenses among people convicted of violent crimes? What are the recidivism rates of men compared to women? Get the metrics right here.

Who might benefit from $10K in canceled student loans?

President Joe Biden proposed canceling up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt per person as part of his 2020 presidential campaign. The administration has already canceled $9.5 billion in debt for thousands of students, including those who attended some defunct for-profit colleges. The campaign proposal to relieve $10,000 in federal student debt hasn't become policy, but government numbers show who might benefit if it did.

• If enacted, the median student loan debt for both Black and white women would be cut from $20,000 to $10,000. The median debt for Black men would decrease from $14,000 to $4,000, while such a policy would cut the median student loan debt for white men to $8,000.
   
• In 2020, almost one-third of federal student loan borrowers owed less than $10,000. Half owed between $10,000 and $60,000, while 7% of federal student loan borrowers owed more than $100,000.
   
• According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, forgiving $10,000 per person (without an income limit) would cancel $321 billion in federal student loans. It would eliminate student loans for 11.8 million borrowers: 31% of people with federal loans.

How do federal student loan debts differ between demographics? Find out at USAFacts.


One last fact