noun
- the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend
Usage: legal; criminology
Examples
- The prison’s rehabilitation program aims to reduce recidivism rates.
- Studies show that job training can help lower recidivism among former inmates.
- The state reported a 15% decrease in recidivism over the past five years.
- Drug courts were established to address recidivism in substance abuse cases.
- Recidivism remains a major challenge for the criminal justice system.
- The judge considered the defendant’s history of recidivism during sentencing.