Recidivism: Use with Caution

A Deceptively Simple Measure in a Complex and Contentious System by Sumita (Mira) Das and Jeffrey A. Butts John Jay College Research and Evaluation Center June 2026 The foundations of recidivism as an outcome measure presume that interventions by the criminal justice system reduce future criminality. As interventions become more severe, reaching a pinnacle with incarceration, the effects on criminality should increase. Yet, criminological research … Continue reading Recidivism: Use with Caution

Minor Role IV: Violent Crime More of an Adult Problem Today

Arrests for serious and violent crimes generally declined nationwide since the 1990s, and rates dropped sharply when the social and economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in 2020. Arrests then surged in 2021 and 2022 before beginning to fall once again in 2023 and 2024. All age groups display these fluctuations to some degree, but youth under age 18 actually lead the crime decline. Continue reading Minor Role IV: Violent Crime More of an Adult Problem Today