Recidivism Among Inmates Released from Local Jail

• In Event: A Focus on Jails: The Role of Local Justice Systems in Shaping Jail Usage and Recidivism

Abstract

A substantial body of literature has focused on the causes and correlates of post-incarceration recidivism. While informative, this research has primarily focused on releases from state and federal prisons, largely ignoring recidivism among those released from local jails. Various characteristics of jails that differ from prisons may impact the levels and correlates of recidivism. These include population differences, a lack of programming, shorter stays in confinement, incarceration for minor offenses, among others. We address this gap in the literature by examining the correlates of re-incarceration among a cohort of 64,842 releases from a medium sized Florida jail from 2010 to 2017. We also compare the rates and correlates of recidivism among releases from jail to those released from Florida prisons. Findings from the analysis and their policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• William D. Bales, Florida State University

• Jennifer Copp, Florida State University

• Thomas G. Blomberg, Florida State University