What Is Recidivism?
“Recidivism is one of the most fundamental concepts in criminal justice. It refers to a person's relapse into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention for
a previous crime. Recidivism is measured by criminal acts that resulted in rearrest, reconviction
or return to prison with or without a new sentence during a three-year period following the
prisoner's release.” - National Institute of Justice
Alaska's Definition(s) of Recidivism: How we Measure, Matters
The Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC) historically defined recidivism as:
"the percentage of convicted felons who were re-incarcerated within three years of release due to a new sentence, including parole or probation violations."
This definition is used for consistency in reporting recidivism data, but a statutory definition, AS 44.19.649(2) also exists, and is used by the AK Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission to calculate based on the Statute definition AS 44.19. 649(2):
"the percentage of convicted defendants who are booked into, or who return to, a correctional facility within three years after release or the date of conviction, whichever is later."
Unlike many states, Alaska’s definition of recidivism includes all offenses, including misdemeanors, as well as probation and parole violations.
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
Recidivism data presented is sourced from the Alaska Corrections Offender Management System (ACOMS) utilizing the previous Departmental definition of recidivism. This definition accounts for the reincarceration of convicted felons due to a new sentence, including parole or probation adjudications, within three years of their release.
Source Link: (AKDOC, 2024 Offender Profile)
ALASKA CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATA ANALYSIS COMMISSION
Figure 26 of the Commissions Annual Report highlights that a large percentage of criminal cases are entirely dismissed. This dismissal rate likely explains much of the difference between the three-year recidivism rate in terms of incarceration or arrest and the three-year recidivism rate in terms of conviction. The difference between those arrested and incarcerated is due to people who were remanded to custody for violations of probation or parole conditions and not arrested for a different crime.
Source Link: (Alaska Criminal Justice Data Analysis Commission, 2024 Annual Report)