7

California Department of Corrections
And Rehabilitation

2011 Adult Institutions
Outcome Evaluation Report

Office of Research
November 23, 2011

You can obtain reports by contacting the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the following address:

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office of Research, Research and Evaluation Branch
1515 S Street, Suite 208S
Sacramento, California 95811
916.323.2919

Or

On the World Wide Web at:
http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/adult_research_branch/

CDCR Office of Research
"Providing quality research, data analysis and evaluation to implement
evidence-based programs and practices, strengthen policy, inform
management decisions and ensure accountability."

Produced by

Office of Research, Research and Evaluation Branch
Lee Seale, Director
Jay Atkinson, Deputy Director (A)
Brenda Grealish, Research Manager III
Tina Fitzgerald, Research Manager II
Kevin Grassel, Research Program Specialist II
Betty Viscuso, Associate Information Systems Analyst

Permission is granted to reproduce reports.
For questions regarding the contents of this report, please contact
Brenda Grealish, Research Manager III of Research and Evaluation.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA -.-(l£PARTUENT OF CORRECTIONSANO REHABILITATION

EDUUNO G BROWN, JR., GOVERNOft

OFFIcE OF THE SECRETARY
1515 s Street, 95814
P.O. Bol( 942883
sacramento. CA 94283-0001

November 23, 2011

Dear Colleagues:
The mission of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (COCR) is to
protect the public by safely and securely supervising adult and juvenile offenders,
providing effective rehabilitation and treatment, and integrating offenders successfully
into the community.
Consistent with this purpose, we are holding ourselves
accountable for data-driven policies infonned by the latest research on what works in
corrections and rehabilitation.
As a part of this commitment, I am pleased to present the second in a series of annual
reports on the outcomes of adult inmates released from COCR correctional institutions.
This report features measures of recidivism by which we can gauge improvement, and
enable us to compare our performance with that of other similarly situated states.
This report is a tangible result of our commitment to transparency and accountability.
My hope is that the data contained in this report will provide new insights to policymakers and correctional stakeholders with regard to the dynamics of recidivism. Our
goal is to provide infonnation that will be useful in moving the State forward in our
attempt to increase public safety through the reduction of recidivism.
Sincerely,

1v1~ l t~1-L
MATIHEW L. CATE
Secretary

Table of Contents
Definition of Terms..................................................................................................... viii
1

Introduction .............................................................................................................1

2

Evaluation Design ...................................................................................................4
2.1
2.2

3

Objectives and Purpose of the Evaluation ..................................................................... 4
Primary Definition of Recidivism .................................................................................... 4

Methods ...................................................................................................................4
3.1
3.2

Data Sources .................................................................................................................. 5
Data Limitations.............................................................................................................. 6

4

Release Cohort Description ....................................................................................6

5

Overall California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Adult
Recidivism Rate ..................................................................................................... 12

6

Time to Return ....................................................................................................... 13
6.1

7

Recidivism Rate by Demographics ...................................................................... 14
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4

8

Gender ......................................................................................................................... 15
Age at Release ............................................................................................................. 16
Race/Ethnicity .............................................................................................................. 18
County of Parole........................................................................................................... 20

Offender Characteristics ....................................................................................... 22
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.4.1

Commitment Offense Category.................................................................................... 22
Commitment Offense ................................................................................................... 24
Sentence Type ............................................................................................................. 27
Sex Registrants ............................................................................................................ 28
Recommitment Offense for Sex Registrants......................................................... 29

8.5

Comparison of Violent, Drug and Registered Sex Offender Recidivism Rates
By Age ......................................................................................................................... 30
Serious or Violent Offenders ........................................................................................ 31
Mental Health Status .................................................................................................... 32
Risk of Recidivism ........................................................................................................ 34

8.6
8.7
8.8

9

Time to Return for the 75,019 Recidivists .................................................................... 13

CDCR Incarceration Experience ........................................................................... 35
9.1
9.2
9.3

Length-of-Stay (Current Term) ..................................................................................... 36
Number of Returns to CDCR Custody Prior to Release (Current Term Only) ............. 38
Number of CDCR Stays Ever (All Terms Combined) ................................................. 40

10 Recidivism by Institutional Missions ................................................................... 42
10.1
10.2

Institution Missions ....................................................................................................... 42
Security Housing Unit ................................................................................................... 44

11 Recidivism by CDCR Program.............................................................................. 46
11.1
11.2

Developmental Disability Program ............................................................................... 46
In-Prison and Community-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Programs ................. 47
i

12 Type of Return to CDCR........................................................................................ 49
13 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 53
Appendix A One-, Two- and Three-Year Recidivism Rates for Arrests, Convictions, and
Returns to Prison for Felons Released Between FYs 2002-03 and 2008-09 ...................... 54
Appendix B Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Characteristics Felons Released
During Fiscal Year 2006-07 ......................................................................................... 57
Appendix C Recidivism of Convicted Murderers Since 1995 (New Crimes) .......................... 66
Appendix D Mission and Institution Recidivism Rates by Gender ........................................ 69
Appendix E Security Housing Unit by Institution ................................................................ 70
Appendix F Substance Abuse Treatment Programs by Gender and Location ....................... 72

List of Tables and Figures
Tables
Table 1. Cohort Description ............................................................................................................ 9
Table 2. Overall Recidivism Rates: First releases, Re-Releases and Total................................ 13
Table 3. Three-Year Quarterly and Cumulative Rate of Return Post Release ............................ 14
Table 4. Recidivism Rates by Gender .......................................................................................... 16
Table 5. Recidivism Rates by Age Group .................................................................................... 17
Table 6. Recidivism Rates By Race/Ethnicity .............................................................................. 19
Table 7. Recidivism Rates by County........................................................................................... 21
Table 8. Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense Category .................................................... 23
Table 9. Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense .................................................................... 26
Table 10. Recidivism Rates by Sentence Type............................................................................ 27
Table 11. Recidivism Rates by Sex Registration Flag ................................................................. 28
Table 12. Sex Registrant Recommitment Offense ....................................................................... 30
Table 13. Violent, Drug and Registered Sex Offender Recidivism Rates By Age ....................... 31
Table 14. Recidivism Rates by Serious/Violent Offender Flag .................................................... 32
Table 15. Recidivism Rates by Mental Health Status .................................................................. 34
Table 16. Recidivism Rates by CSRA Risk Category .................................................................. 35
Table 17. Recidivism Rates by Length-of-Stay ............................................................................ 37
Table 18. Number of Returns to CDCR Custody on Current Term Prior to Release ................... 39
Table 19. Recidivism Rates by Total Number of Stays Ever ....................................................... 41
Table 20. Recidivism Rates by Institutional Missions................................................................... 44
Table 21. Recidivism Rates by Institutional Missions, Sorted from Highest to Lowest ................ 44
Table 22. Recidivism Rates by Security Housing Unit Status ...................................................... 45
Table 23. Recidivism Rates by DDP Participation ....................................................................... 47

ii

Table 24. Recidivism Rates by Substance Abuse Treatment Program Involvement................... 49
Table 25. Parole Violators Returned to Custody .......................................................................... 51

Figures
Figure A. One-Year Recidivism Rates for Arrests, Convictions and Returns to Prison for Felons
Released Between Fiscal Years 2002-03 and 2008-09 ................................................ 1
Figure B. Three-year Recidivism Rates for Felons Released From All CDCR Institutions During
Fiscal Year 2006-07....................................................................................................... 3
Figure 1. Overall Recidivism Rates .............................................................................................. 12
Figure 2. Three-Year Quarterly and Cumulative Rate of Return Post Release ........................... 13
Figure 3. Recidivism Rates by Gender ......................................................................................... 15
Figure 4. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Age at Release ......................................................... 16
Figure 5. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Race/Ethnicity .......................................................... 18
Figure 6. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by County ...................................................................... 20
Figure 7. Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense Category ................................................... 22
Figure 8. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense ............................................... 24
Figure 9. Recidivism Rates by Sentence Type ............................................................................ 27
Figure 10. Recidivism Rates by Sex Registration Flag ................................................................ 28
Figure 11. Sex Registrant Recommitment Offense ...................................................................... 29
Figure 12. Violent, Drug and Registered Sex Offender Recidivism Rates By Age ...................... 30
Figure 13. Recidivism Rates by Serious/Violent Offender Flag ................................................... 31
Figure 14. Recidivism Rates by Mental Health Status ................................................................. 33
Figure 15. Recidivism Rates by CSRA Risk Category ................................................................. 34
Figure 16. Recidivism Rates by Length-of-Stay ........................................................................... 36
Figure 17. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Number of Returns to CDCR Custody on the
Current Term Prior to Release .................................................................................... 38
Figure 18. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Total Number of Stays Ever ................................... 40
Figure 19. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Institutional Missions .............................................. 42
Figure 20. Recidivism Rates by Security Housing Unit Status ..................................................... 45
Figure 21. Recidivism Rates by DDP Participation ...................................................................... 46
Figure 22. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Substance Abuse Treatment Program
Involvement ................................................................................................................. 48
Figure 23. Three-Year Outcomes for Inmates Released From All CDCR Adult Institutions in
Fiscal Year 2006-07..................................................................................................... 50

iii

Executive Summary
Introduction
purpose of this report. We chose this
measure because it is the most reliable
measure available
and
is
well
understood and commonly used by
most correctional stakeholders.

To comport with national best practices,
the California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation (CDCR) measures
recidivism
by
tracking
arrests,
convictions and returns to prison.
Although all three measures are
displayed in charts and tables in
Appendix A, CDCR uses the latter
measure, returns to prison, as the
primary measure of recidivism for the

CDCR has reported recidivism rates for
felons released from custody since
1977. During this time, the methodology
for reporting recidivism has changed.

Figure 1. One-Year Recidivism Rates for Arrests, Convictions and Returns to Prison for
Felons Released Between Fiscal Years 2002-03 and 2008-09 1
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%

55.5%
48.0%

57.6%

56.3%

58.8%

58.0%

49.1%

47.9%

45.9%

46.5%

21.6%

22.6%

22.1%

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

57.0%
47.5%

57.2%

45.2%

40%
30%
20%

19.7%

23.7%

20.7%

20.0%

2007-08

2008-09

10%
0%
2002-03

Arrests

1

Convictions

2006-07
Returns to Prison

Rates for “Arrests” and “Convictions” only include those felons where an automated criminal history
record was available from the Department of Justice. These records are necessary to measure
recidivism by arrest and conviction. The data contained in this chart were extracted in June 2011 to
minimize the effects of the time lag in data entry into state systems.

iv

Commencing with our 2010 report, all
felons are now tracked for the full followup period, regardless of their status as
on parole or discharged. In addition,
recidivism rates are presented based on
numerous characteristics (e.g., commitment offense, length-of-stay).

Figure 2.
Three-year recidivism rates for felons
released from all CDCR institutions
during fiscal year 2006-07

This report is intended to provide more
detailed information about recidivism to
CDCR executives and managers,
lawmakers and other correctional
stakeholders who have an interest in the
dynamics of reoffending behavior and
recidivism reduction.

Successful
3 Years Out
34.9%

Returned
Within 3 Years
65.1%

Recidivism Definition
CDCR measures recidivism by arrests,
convictions and returns to prison.
CDCR uses the latter measure, returns
to prison, as its primary measure of
recidivism. Throughout this document,
unless otherwise stated, the terms
recidivate and recidivism refer to this
primary measure.
CDCR defines
“returns to prison” as follows:

N=115,254

released during FY 2006-07 is
65.1 percent (Figure 2).
 Most felons who recidivate return to
prison within a year of release
(73.5 percent).
 Re-released felons recidivate at a
rate 19.5 percentage points higher
than those released for the first time.

An individual convicted of a
21
and incarcerated in a
felony
CDCR adult institution who was
released to parole, discharged after
being
paroled,
or
directly
discharged from CDCR during a
defined
time
period
and
subsequently returned to prison
during a specified follow-up period.

CDCR Inmate Personal Characteristics
 Females have a 55.1 percent
recidivism
rate,
which
is
approximately 11 points lower than
that of males.
 Younger felons recidivate at the
highest rate. Inmates released at
age 24 or younger return to prison at
a rate of 71.9 percent.
 Race/ethnicity appears to influence
recidivism rates for first-releases, but
this effect is not evident for rereleased inmates.
 Slightly more than a quarter of all
inmates are paroled to Los Angeles
County after release.
Of these
parolees,
however,
only
57.0 percent recidivated within three
years, which is lower than the
statewide average.

Key Findings
Overall CDCR Recidivism Rates
 The one-year rates have declined
slightly under all measures of
recidivism since FY 2006-07 with
the exception of a small increase in
arrests in FY 2008-09 (Figure 1).
 The total three-year recidivism rate
(return to prison) for all felons

2

Due to reporting limitations, civil addicts are
currently excluded. It is expected that this
limitation will be addressed following
implementation of the Strategic Offender
Management System (SOMS).

v

CDCR Offender Length-of-Stay

CDCR Offender Characteristics

 Recidivism rates increase with
lengths-of-stay up to two to three
years and decrease thereafter.
Inmates with a length-of-stay
between two to three years
recidivate at the highest rate
(69.8 percent). Those who served
over 15 years in prison recidivated at
the lowest rate (40.1 percent).
 There is little variation in the
recidivism rate despite the number
of prior returns to CDCR custody
within the current term.
 Although fewer inmates return to
prison as the total number of stays
increase, recidivism rates for those
with more total stays increase with
each additional stay at CDCR
institutions.
CDCR Institutional Missions

 Inmates committed to prison for a
property crime consistently recidivate at a higher rate than those
committed for other types of crimes
including crimes against persons,
drug crimes, and “other” crimes.
 Inmates committed for more serious
crimes do not have higher
recidivism rates.
For example,
inmates released for rape have a
lower recidivism rate (51.1 percent)
than those who were committed for
vehicle theft (74.3 percent).
 Although few in number, inmates
released after having served an
indeterminate sentence recidivate
at a much lower rate (12.8 percent)
than those who served a determinate sentence (65.1 percent).
 Felons required to register as sex
offenders (i.e., sex registrants)
recidivate at a higher rate
(66.9 percent) as compared to
other felons (65.0 percent). Eightyfour percent of sex registrants who
recidivate do so because of a
parole violation.
 Inmates designated as serious or
violent offenders recidivate at a
lower rate than those who are not.
 Inmates participating in mental
health programs recidivate at rates
6 to 11 percentage points higher
than other felons.
 The
California
Static
Risk
Assessment performs well at
predicting inmate risk for recidivism.

 Inmates housed in reception centers
for at least 30 days prior to release
have a recidivism rate that is higher
than any other institutional mission.
 Inmates who had spent time in the
Security Housing Unit (SHU) prior to
release recidivate at a higher rate
than those who had not.
CDCR Programs
 Released felons who had a
designated developmental disability
recidivate at a rate that is
12.8 percentage points higher than
those who did not have a developmental disability designation.
 Participation in in-prison substance
abuse programs, combined with
post-release community-based aftercare results in recidivism rates
(29.3 percent) that are much lower
than those that did not participate in
any substance abuse treatment
program (65.3 percent).

vi

Conclusion
This report demonstrates how recidivism
varies among offenders by their
personal characteristics such as gender,
race, age, and mental health status, as
well as by their arrest histories and
behavior while under CDCR custody
and supervision. These findings are
consistent with other jurisdictions across
the United States and have important
implications for correctional policy and
practice.

vii

Definition of Terms
California Static Risk Assessment (CSRA)
The CSRA is an actuarial tool that utilizes demographic and criminal history data to
predict an offender’s risk of recidivating at the time they are released from CDCR.
Offenders are categorized as low, moderate or high risk of incurring a new criminal
conviction.
Cohort
A group of individuals who share a common characteristic, such as all inmates who
were released to parole during a given year.
Controlling Crime or Commitment Offense
The most serious offense on the conviction for which the inmate was sentenced to
prison on that term.
Correctional Clinical Case Management System (CCCMS)
The CCCMS facilitates mental health care by linking inmate/patients to needed
services and providing sustained support while accessing such services. CCCMS
services are provided as outpatient services within the general population setting at
all institutions.
Determinate Sentencing Law (DSL)
Established by Penal Code Section 1170 in 1976, Determinate Sentencing Law
identifies a specified sentence length for convicted felons who are remanded to
state prison. Essentially, three specific terms of imprisonment (low, middle, and
high) are assigned for crimes, as well as enhancements (specific case factors that
allow judges to add time to a sentence). Opportunities to earn “credits” can reduce
the length of incarceration. Released felons are automatically placed on parole
unless they served all of their prison and parole time while they were incarcerated;
in this case they are then discharged.
Developmental Disability Program (DDP)
CDCR program that ensures inmates with developmental disabilities are accurately
identified; provided with appropriate classification, housing, and protection; and not
subjected to discrimination.
Enhanced Outpatient Program (EOP)
A mental health services designation applied to a severely mentally ill inmate
receiving treatment at a level similar to day treatment services.
First Release
The first release on the current term for felons with new admissions and parole
violators returning with a new term (PV-WNT).

viii

Indeterminate Sentencing Law (ISL)
Established by Penal Code Section 1168 in 1917, the Indeterminate Sentencing
Law allowed judges to determine a range of time (minimum and maximum) a
convicted felon would serve. Different felons convicted for the same crimes could
spend varying lengths of time in prison; release depended on many factors,
including each prisoner’s individual conduct in prison. After the minimum sentence
passed, felons were brought to a parole board that would identify the actual date of
release. Indeterminate sentencing was replaced by Determinate Sentencing
(Penal Code Section 1170) in 1976.
Institutional Mission
Institutions are designated with a mission that meets the security level or special
purpose required for the inmates being housed. Reception centers process
incoming inmates. Levels I, II, III, and IV house male general population inmates
according to their security classification (low, medium, high-medium, and
maximum). Female institutions provide female offenders with gender-responsive
supervision, treatment, and services. Camps and “other” facilities house low-level
inmates while providing rehabilitative treatment through work, vocation, academic
and substance abuse programs. Institutions may have one or more missions
according to the security needs and/or special purposes.
Manual California Static Risk Assessment (CSRA)
Inmates who do not have automated criminal history data available from the
Department of Justice (DOJ) must have their CSRA score calculated manually.
This is done with a review of a paper copy of the inmate’s rap sheet. Manual
scores are not available for a certain percentage of inmates because CSRA scores
for the FY 2006-07 cohort were computed retroactively as of their date of release
during that time period.
Parole
A period of conditional supervised release following a prison term.
Parole Violation (Law)
A law violation occurs when a parolee commits a crime while on parole and returns
to CDCR custody (RTC) by action of the Board of Parole Hearings rather than by
prosecution in the courts.
Parole Violation (Technical)
A technical violation occurs when a parolee violates a condition of his/her parole
that is not considered a new crime and returns to CDCR custody (RTC).
Parole Violator Returning With a New Term (PV-WNT)
A parolee who receives a court sentence for a new crime committed while under
parole supervision and returned to prison.
Registered Sex Offender
An inmate is designated as a registered sex offender if CDCR records show that
the inmate has at some point been convicted of an offense that requires
registration as a sex offender under Penal Code Section 290. This designation is
permanent in CDCR records.

ix

Re-Release
After a return to prison for a parole violation, any subsequent release on the same
(current) term is a re-release.
Serious Felony Offenses
Serious felony offenses are specified in Penal Code Section 1192.7(c) and Penal
Code Section 1192.8.
Stay
A stay is any period of time an inmate is housed in a CDCR institution. Each time
an inmate returns to prison it is considered a new stay, regardless of the reason for
returning.
Substance Abuse Program (SAP)
CDCR in-prison and post-release, community-based substance abuse treatment
programs designed to reduce/eliminate offender drug and alcohol abuse and
dependence.
Term
A term is a sentence an inmate receives from a court to be committed to CDCR for
a length-of-time. If an inmate is released after serving a term and is later returned
to prison for a parole violation, the inmate returns and continues serving the
original (current) term. If that inmate returns for committing a new crime, the
inmate begins serving a new term.
Violent Felony Offenses
Violent felony offenses are specified in Penal Code Section 667.5(c).

x

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

2011 Adult Institutions
Outcome Evaluation Report
1 Introduction
The
California
Department
of
Corrections
and
Rehabilitation (CDCR) is pleased to present the 2011 Outcome
Evaluation, our second in an annual series of reports analyzing
recidivism for felons released from California prisons. This report
provides information about recidivism to CDCR executives,
lawmakers and other correctional stakeholders who have an
interest in the dynamics of reoffending behavior and reducing
recidivism.

Figure A.

One-Year Recidivism Rates for Arrests, Convictions
and Returns to Prison for Felons Released Between
Fiscal Years 2002-03 and 2008-09 1

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%

55.5%
48.0%

57.6%

56.3%

45.9%

46.5%

21.6%

22.6%

58.8%

58.0%

49.1%

47.9%

57.0%
47.5%

57.2%

45.2%

40%
30%
20%

19.7%

22.1%

23.7%

20.7%

20.0%

2007-08

2008-09

10%
0%
2002-03

2003-04

2004-05
Arrests

2005-06
Convictions

2006-07
Returns to Prison

As with our prior 2010 recidivism report, this report measures
recidivism by tracking arrests, convictions and returns to prison at
one-, two-, and three-year intervals.

1

Rates for “Arrests” and “Convictions” only include those felons where an
automated criminal history record was available from the Department of Justice.
These records are necessary to measure recidivism by arrest and conviction.

1

2

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

We continue to focus on the three-year return-to-prison rate as our
primary measure of recidivism. Our return-to-prison measure, as
described in our 2010 report, includes offenders released from
prison after having served their sentence for a crime as well as
offenders released from prison after having served their term for a
parole violation. It also includes all offenders released from
prison, whether on parole or discharged from parole during the
three-year follow-up period. We employ an approach that is
consistent with that set forth in last year’s report so that
policymakers and researchers can have year-over-year
comparisons. Accordingly, this year’s cohort will supplement last
year’s data, providing a progressively fuller picture of trends in
recidivism with each successive report. This year’s three-year
return cohort focuses on those who were released from prison
during FY 2006-07.
Additionally, we are excited to present for the first time analyses in
this report that examine trends in recidivism among new
populations of offenders. This year we’ve added analyses
focusing on recidivism rates for the developmentally disabled,
murderers, offenders who have received substance abuse
treatment, and those who have paroled from Security Housing
Units (SHU). We hope that you find these analyses to be topical
and relevant. Each year we look forward to adding still more.
The focus of this year’s report – the cohort of offenders released
from prison in FY 2006-07 – provides an opportunity to gauge the
success of correctional practices that governed that cohort, both in
prison prior to their release in FY 2006-07, and on parole up to
three years afterward. At its outermost reaches, this report begins
to capture parole practices reaching into the first half of 2010, a
period marked by the implementation of reforms set forth in
Senate Bill (SB) 18 (3rd Ex. Sess) (Ducheny). These reforms
include the creation of non-revocable parole, incentive funding for
probation departments that adopt best practices, and parole
reentry courts, among others. We look forward to seeing how
these types of changes in correctional practices affect our
recidivism rates in the coming years.
Enthusiasm for this year’s recidivism discussion was also stoked
by a significant report issued by the Pew Center on the States
entitled “State of Recidivism: The Revolving Door of America’s
Prisons,” which examined recidivism rates among many states
across the country. California is pleased to be among the 33
states that provided data to Pew for this valuable comparative
purpose.
The Pew report confirmed that when measured by “returns to
prison,” California’s recidivism rates are near the highest
nationwide. However, the report also made clear that when
recidivism is measured by re-imprisonment for new crimes only,
California’s recidivism rates are lower than the nationwide

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

average. The Pew report observed that it was two particularities of
California’s parole structure – the placement of virtually every
offender on a period of mandatory parole, and the routine use of
prison stays for punishment of parole violators – that contributed
to California’s high “return to prison” recidivism rates since this
measure includes offenders returned for not only new crimes, but
also parole violations. Absent those practices, California’s
recidivism rate may be similar to those of other states.
In future reports we will monitor how changes to California’s
parole structure impacts its recidivism rates not only with respect
to non-revocable parole, which prohibited certain low-level
offenders from being returned to custody, but also
Governor Brown’s historic realignment legislation, which requires
that all parole violators who are returned to custody serve their
time at local jails instead of prison. California is now in line with
many other states that similarly use jail, not prison, as custody for
parole violators. As a result, we expect to see changes to our
recidivism rates in the coming years as California moves away
from some of the practices that contributed to our high rates.
Ultimately, our goal is that this report and future reports will
continue to spur discussion of the best possible ways for
California to reduce recidivism and better protect public safety.
Figure B. Three-year recidivism rates for felons released from all
CDCR institutions during FY 2006-07

Successful
3 Years Out
34.9%

Returned
Within 3 Years
65.1%

N=115,254

3

4

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

2 Evaluation Design
2.1 Objectives and Purpose of the Evaluation
This report presents the recidivism rates for CDCR inmates and
examines how these rates vary across time and place, by person
(personal and offender characteristics), by incarceration
experience (e.g., length-of-stay), and by CDCR missions and
institutions.

In this report, a
recidivist is defined
as a convicted
felon who was
released from
CDCR in
FY 2006-07 and
subsequently
returned to CDCR
within a three-year
follow-up period.

2.2 Primary Definition of Recidivism
Although there are numerous ways to define recidivism (e.g.,
arrests, convictions, returns to prison), CDCR employs returns to
prison as its primary indicator of a recidivist defined as follows:
An individual convicted of a felony 2 and incarcerated
in a CDCR adult institution who was released to
parole, discharged after being paroled, or directly
discharged from CDCR during a defined time period
(recidivism cohort) and subsequently returned to
prison during a specified follow-up period (recidivism
period).
The recidivism rate is calculated using the ratio of the number of
felons in the recidivism cohort who were returned to prison during
the recidivism period to the total number of felons in the recidivism
cohort, multiplied by 100.
Recidivism
Rate

=

Number Returned to Prison
X 100
Recidivism Cohort

See Appendix A where this definition is expanded by depicting
recidivism rates using re-arrest and reconviction in addition to
returns to prison. Results for each of these measures are
available for FYs 2002-03 through 2008-09.

3 Methods
This report presents recidivism rates from a three-year follow-up
period for all felons who were released from the CDCR Division of
Adult Institutions (DAI) between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007
(FY 2006-07). The cohort includes inmates who were released to
parole for the first time on their current term and inmates who

2

Due to reporting limitations, civil addicts are currently excluded. It is
expected that this limitation will be addressed following implementation
of the Strategic Offender Management System (SOMS).

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

were directly discharged, as well as inmates who were released to
parole on their current term prior to FY 2006-07, returned to prison
on
this
term,
and
were
then
re-released
during
FY 2006-07. Figures, charts and graphs illustrate the relationship
between descriptive variables (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity,
age at parole) and recidivism rates. Expanded analyses of these
variables are available in Appendix B.

3.1 Data Sources
CDCR Offender-Based Information System (OBIS)
Data were extracted from the CDCR Offender-Based Information
System (OBIS) to identify the inmates who were released during
FY 2006-07, as well as to determine which of these individuals
were returned to prison during the three-year follow-up period.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS)
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS)
Data were also derived from the DOJ, Criminal Justice Information
System (CJIS), California Law Enforcement Telecommunications
System (CLETS), arrest and convictions data to compute
California Static Risk Assessment (CSRA) recidivism risk scores
at the time of release, and to compute the re-arrest and
reconviction figures included in Appendix A.
CDCR Office of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (OSATS)
Interim Computerized Attendance Tracking System (ICATS)
The dataset containing the release cohort was matched to data
reported to the CDCR Office of Substance Abuse Treatment
Services (OSATS) Interim Computerized Attendance Tracking
System (ICATS). ICATS is a repository for attendance and
completions for inmates/parolees who participate in the CDCR
In-Prison Substance Abuse Programs (SAPs) and CommunityBased Substance Abuse Programs.
CDCR Clark Developmental Disability Automated Tracking
System (CDDATS)
The Clark Developmental Disability Automated Tracking
System (CDDATS) was used to record inmates who have been
screened for a developmental disability upon entry into CDCR and
identifies their developmental disability level designation and
housing location as part of the CDCR Developmental Disability
Program (DDP). CDDATS data are entered by staff at each
institution.
Although DECS (Disability and Effective
Communications System) is currently the system of record,
CDDATS was the system of record at the time the cohort was
released from CDCR.

5

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Revocation Scheduling and Tracking System (RSTS)
For those parolees whose parole was revoked, the CDCR
Revocation Scheduling and Tracking System (RSTS) was used to
identify the type of parole revocations (technical or nontechnical).

3.2 Data Limitations
Data quality is of paramount importance with any and all data
analyses performed by the CDCR Office of Research. The intent
of this report is to provide “summary statistical” (aggregate) rather
than “individual-level” information.
Overall, the aggregate data are robust in that a large number of
records are available for analyses.
At an individual level, the
data become less robust as the smaller number of records is
easily influenced by nuances associated with each case.
Consequently, caution must be exercised when interpreting
results that involve a small number of cases. Within this analytical
framework, recidivism rates are only presented for inmate
releases (i.e., denominators) that are greater than or equal to 30.
In addition, recidivism rates are “frozen” at three years, meaning
that after three years the follow-up period is considered to be
completed and no further analyses are performed. As such,
reported rates may fluctuate slightly for the one- and two-year
rates as data used in subsequent reporting years will likely be
updated, particularly for the ‘Arrests’ and ‘Convictions’ presented
in the Appendix since these data are routinely updated in
accordance with criminal justice system processing.

Re-released
felons made up
41.8 percent of
the recidivism
cohort.

4 Release Cohort Description
Nearly 60 percent of the release cohort was made up of first
releases while 41.8 percent were re-releases. Almost all of the
distributions for the personal and offender characteristics of first
releases were similar to those of the total recidivism cohort.
Personal Characteristics
A total of 115,254 adult men and women were released from
CDCR adult institutions in FY 2006-07 (Table 1).
Males
outnumbered females approximately nine to one. There was a
nearly even distribution of inmates between the age of 20 and 44
at release; few inmates were between the age of 18 and 19
(0.6 percent). After 45 to 49 years of age, the number of inmates
declined; individuals over age 60 represented roughly 1 percent of
the cohort.
The majority of inmates were Hispanic/Latino
(37.5 percent), followed by White (32.1 percent) and Black/African
American (26.0 percent). Less than 5 percent were Native
American/Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
or Other.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Offender Characteristics
The top 20 counties receiving the largest number of parolees are
presented in Table 1, with the remaining counties grouped into the
“All Others” category. The majority of the inmates paroled to
Los Angeles County (26.4 percent). Of the remaining large
counties in California, the top three that received paroled inmates
were San Bernardino (8.5 percent), Orange (7.6 percent),
San Diego (6.5 percent), and the bottom three were Santa Clara
(3.2 percent), San Joaquin (2.3 percent), and Stanislaus
(1.5 percent). In the previous 2010 Adult Institutions Outcome
Evaluation Report, San Francisco was depicted since it had a
release population within the top 20 of all county releases. This
year, San Francisco was replaced by Stanislaus.
About two-thirds of the FY 2006-07 recidivism cohort include
inmates who had served their current term for a property crime or
a drug crime. Slightly more than 20 percent were committed to
CDCR for a crime against persons and approximately 12 percent
were committed for “other” crimes. Almost all inmates had a
determinate sentence.
Approximately seven percent of the release cohort were required
to register as a sex offender. In addition, roughly 20 percent of
the release cohort were committed for a crime that was
considered to be serious and/or violent. These percentages
remain consistent for both first released and re-released sex
offenders and serious/violent offenders.
Nearly 86 percent of the release cohort had not been enrolled in
any type of mental health treatment program 3 while incarcerated
at CDCR.
Those designated as Enhanced Outpatient
Program (EOP) (severely mentally ill) made up 4.7 percent of the
release cohort and those assigned to the Correctional Clinical
Case Management System (CCCMS) made up the remaining 9.7
percent.
When assessed for recidivism risk using the CSRA, approximately
53 percent of the inmates were identified as being at a high risk
for being convicted of a new crime, 28.4 percent were medium risk
and 16.3 percent were low risk.
CDCR Incarceration Experience
More than half (58.5 percent) of the FY 2006-07 cohort inmates
served 18 months or less in CDCR institutions. Approximately
71 percent who were released for the first time served 18 months

3

EOP and CCCMS are CDCR designations and do not necessarily
reflect a clinical (e.g., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) mental health
diagnosis.

Almost 30 percent
of the recidivism
cohort had never
been previously
incarcerated at
CDCR.

7

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

or less in CDCR institutions compared to 41.8 percent of
re-releases who served 18 months or less.
The majority of the cohort (58.2 percent) is comprised of first
releases with no returns on their current term. Of those with
returns on their current term, many (45.9 percent) had returned
once. Thereafter, the number of returning inmates gradually
decreases.
Almost half (49.2 percent) of the first releases had only one stay in
a CDCR adult institution, and approximately one-fifth
(20.8 percent) of re-releases stayed two times. Regardless of
type of release, 13.6 percent of the FY 2006-07 cohort had 10 or
more stays in CDCR when released.
Institutional Mission 4
Twenty-two percent of the FY 2006-07 cohort released from a
Level II institution. Another 26.6 percent were released from a
reception center. Combined, this accounts for almost half of all
releases during FY 2006-07. Among first releases only, slightly
more than 20 percent released from a Level III or Level IV
institution. Over half of re-releases were released from a
reception center.
The vast majority (94.8 percent) of the release cohort had never
been assigned to a SHU at any point during their term, while 5.2
percent has been assigned to a SHU.
Programs
Only 1.5 percent of the release cohort were in the DDP.
Over 12.5 percent of the release cohort had participated in the
SAP while incarcerated. Eight percent completed the program
while 4.6 did not complete the program prior to release from
prison.

4

Since inmates are often transferred just prior to release to institutions
close to their release county, the last institution where an inmate spent
at least 30 days prior to being released in FY 2006-07 is the inmate’s
institution of release. The “Under 30 Days” category reflects those
inmates who were not incarcerated in any one institution for at least
30 days prior to release.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011
Table 1. Cohort Description
First Releases
Characteristics

Re-Releases

Total

N

%

N

%

N

%

Total

67,029

100.0

48,225

100.0

115,254

100.0

Sex
Male
Female

59,154
7,875

88.3
11.7

44,062
4,163

91.4
8.6

103,216
12,038

89.6
10.4

Age at Release
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60 and over

689
11,039
13,433
10,434
10,070
9,123
6,714
3,370
1,381
776

1.0
16.5
20.0
15.6
15.0
13.6
10.0
5.0
2.1
1.2

47
5,019
9,399
7,436
8,057
7,716
5,868
2,977
1,155
551

0.1
10.4
19.5
15.4
16.7
16.0
12.2
6.2
2.4
1.1

736
16,058
22,832
17,870
18,127
16,839
12,582
6,347
2,536
1,327

0.6
13.9
19.8
15.5
15.7
14.6
10.9
5.5
2.2
1.2

Race/Ethnicity
White
Hispanic/Latino
Black/African American
Native American/Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Other

20,168
27,816
15,980
518
416
96
2,035

30.1
41.5
23.8
0.8
0.6
0.1
3.0

16,821
15,410
14,015
576
308
49
1,046

34.9
32.0
29.1
1.2
0.6
0.1
2.2

36,989
43,226
29,995
1,094
724
145
3,081

32.1
37.5
26.0
0.9
0.6
0.1
2.7

County of Parole
Alameda
Fresno
Kern
Los Angeles
Orange
Riverside
Sacramento
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Joaquin
Santa Clara
Stanislaus
All Others

2,727
2,052
2,270
21,782
5,954
4,198
3,329
5,585
4,063
1,238
1,816
872
11,118

4.1
3.1
3.4
32.5
8.9
6.3
5.0
8.3
6.1
1.8
2.7
1.3
16.6

2,564
2,479
1,777
8,672
2,774
2,932
2,355
4,161
3,385
1,444
1,830
830
11,588

5.3
5.1
3.7
18.0
5.8
6.1
4.9
8.6
7.0
3.0
3.8
1.7
24.0

5,291
4,531
4,047
30,454
8,728
7,130
5,684
9,746
7,448
2,682
3,646
1,702
22,706

4.6
3.9
3.5
26.4
7.6
6.2
4.9
8.5
6.5
2.3
3.2
1.5
19.7

Commitment Offense
Crime Against Persons
Property Crimes
Drug Crimes
Other Crimes

14,179
22,802
22,124
7,924

21.2
34.0
33.0
11.8

12,141
16,025
14,599
5,460

25.2
33.2
30.3
11.3

26,320
38,827
36,723
13,384

22.8
33.7
31.9
11.6

9

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011
Table 1. Cohort Description (continued)
First Releases

Re-Releases

Total

N

%

N

%

N

%

Sentence Type
Determinate Sentence Law
Indeterminate Sentence Law

72
67,029

0.1
100.0

14
48,225

0.0
100.0

86
115,254

0.1
100.0

Sex Offenders
Yes
No

3,606
63,423

5.4
94.6

4,223
44,002

8.8
91.2

7,829
107,425

6.8
93.2

Serious/Violent Offenders
Yes
No

13,312
53,717

19.9
80.1

10,171
38,054

21.1
78.9

23,483
91,771

20.4
79.6

2,337

3.5

3,096

6.4

5,433

4.7

Characteristics

Mental Health
Enhanced Outpatient Program
Correctional Clinical Case
Management System
Crisis Bed
No Mental Health Code
Department Mental Health

5,660

8.4

5,471

11.3

11,131

9.7

8
59,024
0

0.0
88.1
0.0

8
39,649
1

0.0
82.2
0.0

16
98,673
1

0.0
85.6
0.0

CSRA Risk Score
Low
Medium
High
N/A

13,223
21,024
31,378
1,404

19.7
31.4
46.8
2.1

5,621
11,760
29,608
1,236

11.7
24.4
61.4
2.6

18,844
32,784
60,986
2,640

16.3
28.4
52.9
2.3

Length of Stay
0 - 6 months
7 - 12 months
13 - 18 months
19 - 24 months
2 - 3 years
3 - 4 years
4 - 5 years
5 - 10 years
10 - 15 years
15 + years

10,126
26,128
11,082
6,250
5,706
2,546
1,670
2,828
575
118

15.1
39.0
16.5
9.3
8.5
3.8
2.5
4.2
0.9
0.2

2,301
8,147
9,708
7,983
9,777
4,440
2,014
3,313
468
74

4.8
16.9
20.1
16.6
20.3
9.2
4.2
6.9
1.0
0.2

12,427
34,275
20,790
14,233
15,483
6,986
3,684
6,141
1,043
192

10.8
29.7
18.0
12.3
13.4
6.1
3.2
5.3
0.9
0.2

Prior Returns to Custody
None
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+

67,029
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

100.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0
22,128
11,313
6,505
3,705
2,077
1,205
640
357
170
125

0.0
45.9
23.5
13.5
7.7
4.3
2.5
1.3
0.7
0.4
0.3

67,029
22,128
11,313
6,505
3,705
2,077
1,205
640
357
170
125

58.2
19.2
9.8
5.6
3.2
1.8
1.0
0.6
0.3
0.1
0.1

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 1. Cohort Description (continued)
First Releases
Characteristics

N

%

Total

Re-Releases
N

%

N

%

Number of CDCR Stays Ever
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 +

32,983
7,926
5,137
3,964
3,285
2,719
2,190
1,846
1,440
1,163
944
777
595
479
1,581

49.2
11.8
7.7
5.9
4.9
4.1
3.3
2.8
2.1
1.7
1.4
1.2
0.9
0.7
2.4

0
10,012
7,485
5,544
4,245
3,467
2,892
2,519
2,089
1,782
1,478
1,315
1,086
878
3,433

0.0
20.8
15.5
11.5
8.8
7.2
6.0
5.2
4.3
3.7
3.1
2.7
2.3
1.8
7.1

32,983
17,938
12,622
9,508
7,530
6,186
5,082
4,365
3,529
2,945
2,422
2,092
1,681
1,357
5,014

28.6
15.6
11.0
8.2
6.5
5.4
4.4
3.8
3.1
2.6
2.1
1.8
1.5
1.2
4.4

Institutional Mission
Level I
Level II
Level III
Level IV
Female Institutions
Camps
Reception Centers
Other Facilities
Under 30 days

12,663
16,951
7,654
6,229
5,337
2,837
5,745
8,876
737

18.9
25.3
11.4
9.3
8.0
4.2
8.6
13.2
1.1

5,534
8,416
2,790
1,684
3,053
1
24,903
1,839
5

11.5
17.5
5.8
3.5
6.3
0.0
51.6
3.8
0.0

18,197
25,367
10,444
7,913
8,390
2,838
30,648
10,715
742

15.8
22.0
9.1
6.9
7.3
2.5
26.6
9.3
0.6

Security Housing Unit (SHU) Status
SHU
No SHU

2,863
64,166

4.3
95.7

3,139
45,086

6.5
93.5

6,002
109,252

5.2
94.8

Developmental Disability
Program (DDP) Status
DDP
No DDP

813
66,216

1.2
98.8

919
47,306

1.9
98.1

In-Prison
Substance Abuse Program
Completed Program
Did Not Complete Program
Did Not Participate in Program

7,103
4,038
55,888

10.6
6.0
83.4

2,091
1,317
44,817

4.3
2.7
92.9

1,732
113,522

9,194
5,355
100,705

1.5
98.5

8.0
4.6
87.4

11

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
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Inmates released
from CDCR in
FY 2006-07
have a
65.1 percent
three-year
recidivism rate.

5 Overall California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation Adult
Recidivism Rate
Figure 1. Overall Recidivism Rates: First Releases,
Re-Releases and Total
100%
90%
80%

76.4%
72.7%

70%

Re-releases
recidivate at a
higher rate than
first-releases.

60%

56.9%
47.9%

50%
40%

65.1%

60.5%

60.5%
51.6%

38.7%

30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
First Releases

Re-Releases

Three Years
Total

Figure 1 and Table 2 shows the total three-year recidivism rate for
the FY 2006-07 cohort is 65.1 percent. The recidivism rate for
re-releases is 19.5 percentage points higher than for first releases.
When examining the recidivism rates as time progresses, most
inmates who return to prison do so in the first year after release.
The overall recidivism rate for the FY 2006-07 cohort is
2.4 percentage points lower than the FY 2005-06 cohort. This
reduction is primarily due to the reduction in the recidivism rates
for the first releases, which decreased by 3.8 percentage points,
although there was also a small (1.1 percentage point) reduction
for those who were re-releases.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

13

November 2011

Table 2. Overall Recidivism Rates: First releases, Re-Releases and Total
One Year

Total
Released

Two Years, Cumulative Three Years, Cumulative

Number
Returned

Recidivism
Rate

Number
Returned

Recidivism
Rate

Number
Returned

Recidivism
Rate

First Releases

67,029

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

Re-Releases

48,225

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

115,254

55,167

47.9%

69,692

60.5%

75,019

65.1%

Total

6 Time to Return
This “Time to Return” section only examines the 75,019 inmates
who returned to prison within three years of release (identified
previously in Figure 1 and Table 2) to assess how long inmates
are in the community before recidivating and returning to prison.

6.1 Time to Return for the 75,019 Recidivists
Figure 2. Three-Year Quarterly and Cumulative Rate of Return Post
Release
100%

n = 75,019 Recidivists

89.9%

90%

92.9%

95.2%

97.0%

Almost 50 percent
of inmates who
recidivate within
three years do so
within the first
six months.

100.0%

98.6%

86.0%
80.9%

80%
73.5%

70%

At one year, this
rate increases to
almost 75 percent.

62.2%

60%
50%

46.1%

40%
30%
24.0%

20%

22.1%
16.1%

10%

11.3%

7.4%

5.1%

0%
1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

3.9%

7th

3.0%

8th

1.8%

2.3%

9th

10th

Quarters (Three-Month Periods) After Release
Percent Recidivating Each Quarter

Cumulative Percent Recidivating

1.4%

1.6%

11th

12th

14

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Figure 2 and Table 3 illustrate the percentage of inmates who
recidivate during each quarterly (three-month) period, as well as
the total percent of inmates who had recidivated through the end
of the quarter.
Of the 75,019 inmates who return to prison, nearly equal
percentages return during the first quarter and the second quarter
(24.0 and 22.1 percent, respectively). Altogether, nearly half
(approximately 46 percent) of the inmates released returned to
prison after having been in the community for only six months.
Almost 75 percent of the recidivists returned to prison within
12 months of release.
The number of inmates recidivating over time decreases as most
have already returned to prison by the end of the first year. Since
this analysis only focuses on those inmates identified as
recidivists, and because few individuals returned to prison within
the final months of the follow-up period, the 12th quarter
represents the final, cumulative results (i.e., 100 percent) of the
75,019 recidivists.
Collectively, these results mirror those
reported for the FY 2005-06 cohort.
Table 3. Three-Year Quarterly and Cumulative Rate of Return Post
Release

2nd

3rd

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

Percentage of Recidivists

24.0%

1st

22.1%

16.1%

11.3%

4th

7.4%

5.1%

3.9%

3.0%

2.3%

1.8%

Cumulative Percent

24.0%

46.1%

62.2%

73.5%

80.9%

86.0%

89.9%

92.9%

95.2%

97.0%

7 Recidivism Rate by Demographics
Demographics include the following personal characteristics of
felons: gender, age at time of release, race/ethnicity, and county
of parole. Research has shown that recidivism varies by some of
these demographic factors, and these findings are corroborated
by the data provided below.

10th

11th

1.6%

12th

1.4%

98.6% 100.0%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

7.1 Gender
Figure 3. Recidivism Rates by Gender
100%
90%
80%
70%

66.3%

61.6%

60%
50%
40%

65.1%

60.5%
55.1%

49.0%

50.4%

47.9%
38.3%

30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
Male

Female

Three Years
Total

Because males outnumber females almost nine to one in the
FY 2006-07 cohort, gender differences in rates of recidivism are
masked. It is important, therefore, to examine male and female
recidivism rates individually to see if differences exist. As shown
in Figure 3 and Table 4, recidivism rates are considerably lower
for females compared to males. By the end of three years, the
recidivism rate for females is approximately 11 percentage points
lower than that of males.
Males and females who were released for the first time recidivate
at lower rates than those who were re-released, with female first
releases and re-releases recidivating at lower rates than males.
There is an 18.7 percentage point difference in the recidivism rate
between first-released and re-released males. Females have a
24.1 percentage point difference in the recidivism rate between
first and re-releases. Females who were re-released recidivate at
a rate only six percentage points lower than their male
counterparts. Both males and females experienced an almost
equal decline in recidivism rates from those reported for the
FY 2005-06 cohort.
Despite the fact that female offenders represent a small proportion
of the CDCR inmate population and they have a lower recidivism
rate than males, CDCR continues to emphasize the importance of
increasing rehabilitative opportunities for female inmates through
a commitment to the provision of gender-responsive programs.

Females
recidivate at a
lower rate than
males.

15

16

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 4. Recidivism Rates by Gender
First Releases
Number
Released
59,154
7,875
67,029

Gender
Male
Female
Total

Number
Returned
34,475
3,683
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
58.3%
46.8%
56.9%

Number
Released
44,062
4,163
48,225

Number
Returned
33,908
2,953
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
77.0%
70.9%
76.4%

Number
Released
103,216
12,038
115,254

Number
Returned
68,383
6,636
75,019

7.2 Age at Release
Figure 4. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Age at Release

In general,
recidivism rates
decrease
with age.

100%
90%
80%

75.7%

71.7%

70%

67.8%
63.3%

65.0%

64.0%

62.8%

60%

58.4%
54.3%

50%

46.3%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
18-19

20-24

25-29

30-34

35-39

40-44

45-49

50-54

55-59

60 +

Age Groups

Conforming to the general theory that people age out of criminal
activity 5, the overall recidivism rate for inmates released in
FY 2006-07 declines with age. Felons in the 18 to 19 year-old
group have a 75.7 percent recidivism rate and those ages 60 and
older have a 46.3 percent recidivism rate (Figure 4 and Table 5).
The exception is a 1.7 percentage point increase from the 30 to 34
year-old age group to the 35 to 39 year-old age group.
Thereafter, the declining trend in the recidivism rate resumes.
The pattern in the recidivism rate for each age group within first
and re-releases mirrors that of the total recidivism rate (i.e., the
gradual decline over time with the exception of the increased
recidivism rate for the 35 to 39 age group).

5

Andrews, D.A. and J. Bonta (2006). The Psychology of Criminal
th
Conduct, 4 ed. Neward, NJ: LexisNexis.

Recidivism
Rate
66.3%
55.1%
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

When compared to FY 2005-06 cohort first releases, FY 2006-07
cohort first releases reflect a reduction in recidivism rates that
range from two to six percentage points across all but one age
group. This exception is the 18 to 19 age group, which has a
one percentage point recidivism rate increase. Although the
reductions are smaller, the FY 2006-07 re-release cohort reflects
a similar pattern of reduction in recidivism rates, with the
exception that the 18 to 19 age group had a larger increase in
their recidivism rate (eight percentage points).
Table 5. Recidivism Rates by Age Group
First Releases
Age
Groups
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60 +
Total

Number
Released
689
11,039
13,433
10,434
10,070
9,123
6,714
3,370
1,381
776
67,029

Number
Returned
516
7,322
8,087
5,700
5,531
4,975
3,537
1,597
602
291
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
74.9%
66.3%
60.2%
54.6%
54.9%
54.5%
52.7%
47.4%
43.6%
37.5%
56.9%

Number
Released
47
5,019
9,399
7,436
8,057
7,716
5,868
2,977
1,155
551
48,225

Number
Returned
41
4,188
7,382
5,603
6,260
5,810
4,369
2,110
774
324
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
87.2%
83.4%
78.5%
75.3%
77.7%
75.3%
74.5%
70.9%
67.0%
58.8%
76.4%

Number
Released
736
16,058
22,832
17,870
18,127
16,839
12,582
6,347
2,536
1,327
115,254

Number
Returned
557
11,510
15,469
11,303
11,791
10,785
7,906
3,707
1,376
615
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
75.7%
71.7%
67.8%
63.3%
65.0%
64.0%
62.8%
58.4%
54.3%
46.3%
65.1%

17

18

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

7.3 Race/Ethnicity
Figure 5. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Race/Ethnicity

Total three-year
recidivism rates
are highest
among White,
Black/AfricanAmerican, and
Native American/
Alaska Native
race/ethnicity
groups.

100%
90%
80%
70%

59.5%

60%

72.4%

71.4%

67.1%

58.7%

59.3%

56.2%

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
White

Recidivism rates
for race/ethnicity
vary by
first releases and
re-releases.

Hispanic/
Latino

Black/
African-American

Asian

Native American/ Native Hawaiian/
Alaska Native
Pacific Islander

Others

Figure 5 and Table 6 show the three-year recidivism rates for all
releases are highest among White, Black/African-American, and
Native American/Alaska Native race/ethnicity groups, ranging from
67.1 percent to 72.4 percent. The overall recidivism rate for all
other race/ethnicity groups is roughly 60 percent.
Although small in number, the Native American/Alaska Native,
Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander first and re-release
groups recidivate at rates similar to the other race/ethnicity
groups. Moreover, the recidivism rate for first releases who are
Hispanic/Latino (the largest group represented in the cohort) is
over 10 percentage points lower than that of all other race/ethncity
groups combined (51.2 percent versus 61.0 percent).
The 2010 Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report showed
that recidivism rates by race/ethnicity for the FY 2005-06 cohort
varied between first releases and re-releases. This finding is not
evident for the FY 2006-07 cohort as the dispersion between the
recidivsm rates decreased within first releases and increased
within re-releases, leaving little difference between the two
groups.
Comparison of the FY 2005-06 and FY 2006-07 cohort first
releases shows that not only did the Native American/Alaska
Native group no longer have the highest recidivism rate, this group
also had the greatest decline in recidivism rate for first releases

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

19

November 2011

(-5.8 percentage points). In turn, the Black/African American first
releases had a 4.5 percentage point decrease in their recidivism
rate. The recidivism rates for both Native American/African
American groups are still quite similar.
For FY 2006-07 re-releases, the Native American/Alaska Native
group still had the highest recidivism rate (79.5 percent), but the
lowest switched from Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander to Asian. In
fact, the Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander re-release group had the
greatest increase in their recidivism rate as compared to the
FY 2005-06 cohort (+1.8 percentage points). Furthermore, the
Asian re-releases had a recidivism rate that was six percentage
points lower that that which was reported for FY 2005-06.
Table 6. Recidivism Rates By Race/Ethnicity
Re-Releases

First Releases
Race/Ethnicity
White
Hispanic/Latino
Black/African-American
Asian
Native American/Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Others
Total

Number
Released
20,168
27,816
15,980
416
518
96
2,035
67,029

Number
Returned
11,935
14,228
10,419
212
334
50
980
38,158

Recidivism
Rate
59.2%
51.2%
65.2%
51.0%
64.5%
52.1%
48.2%
56.9%

Number
Released
16,821
15,410
14,015
308
576
49
1,046
48,225

Number
Returned
12,885
11,509
11,010
213
458
36
750
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
76.6%
74.7%
78.6%
69.2%
79.5%
73.5%
71.7%
76.4%

Number
Released
36,989
43,226
29,995
724
1,094
145
3,081
115,254

Number
Returned
24,820
25,737
21,429
425
792
86
1,730
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
67.1%
59.5%
71.4%
58.7%
72.4%
59.3%
56.2%
65.1%

20

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

7.4 County of Parole 6
Figure 6. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by County
Los Angeles

57.0%

Orange

57.5%

Sacramento

60.8%

Alameda

62.9%

Santa Clara

Recidivism rates
may vary by
county due to a
number of factors:
local jail
overcrowding,
cost avoidance,
prosecutorial
discretion,
community
characteristics
and variability in
law enforcement
and Board of
Parole Hearings
practices.

Statewide Recidivism Rate
65.1%

68.0%

Riverside

69.3%

All Others

70.1%

Kern

70.3%

San Diego

71.5%

San Bernardino

72.0%

Stanislaus

74.2%

Fresno

76.3%

San Joaquin

77.6%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Despite the fact that over a quarter of all inmates who were
paroled in FY 2006-07 were released into Los Angeles County,
the Los Angeles County recidivism rate (57.0 percent) is the
lowest of the twelve largest counties (see Figure 6 and Table 7).
Stanislaus, Fresno, and San Joaquin counties have the highest
overall three-year recidivism rates, ranging from 74.2 percent to
77.6 percent, respectively.
As shown throughout the report, re-released inmates generally
have higher recidivism rates than those released for the first time.
This may also explain Los Angeles County’s low recidivism rate as
it received roughly two-and-a-half times as many first-release as
re-release inmates. This large proportion of first-release inmates
(and their low rate of recidivism) reduced the overall recidivism
rate for inmates released to Los Angeles County.
The difference in the recidivism rate between first-release inmates
and re-release inmates varies greatly by county. Alameda County
has the widest range (31.7 percentage points), with first-release
inmates recidivating at a rate of 47.6 percent and re-releases
recidivating at a rate of 79.3 percent. Fresno County has the

6

Direct discharges are not included since these individuals do not have
a parole county.

100%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

narrowest range (10.4 percentage points), with first-release
inmates recidivating at a rate of 70.6 percent and re-releases
recidivating at a rate of 81.0 percent.
Minor changes in recidivism rates have occurred since data were
reported for the FY 2005-06 cohort. Despite the fact that the
Kern County recidivism rate decreased by 1.4 percentage points
in FY 2006-07, it moved up two positions on the recidivism ranking
because Riverside County and all others had larger decreases in
their recidivism rates (-3.8 and -3.0 percentage points,
respectively). San Diego and San Bernardino switched positions,
with San Diego having a slightly lower recidivism rate. The
increase in the number of Stanislaus County releases bumped
San Francisco off this chart; this year San Francisco releases are
reflected in the all others category.
In sum, first-releases experienced recidivism rate decreases
across all counties, with Alameda having the greatest decrease
(-6.2 percentage points). The exception was Kern County, which
had no recidivism rate change. Recidivism rate decreases also
occurred for re-releases, although there were slight increases for
Alameda,
Sacramento,
and
San
Joaquin
counties
(2.1 percentage points and less).
Note that these results represent the county to which the inmates
were paroled; however, inmates may not have remained in the
county to which they were paroled. In addition, inmates may
recidivate in a county other than that of his/her parole. In such
cases, the recidivism is counted in the parole county.
Table 7. Recidivism Rates by County 7
First Releases
County of
Commitment
Alameda
Fresno
Kern
Los Angeles
Orange
Riverside
Sacramento
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Joaquin
Santa Clara
Stanislaus
All Others
Total

7

Number
Paroled
2,727
2,052
2,270
21,782
5,954
4,198
3,329
5,585
4,063
1,238
1,816
872
11,118
67,004

Number
Returned
1,298
1,449
1,457
11,119
2,866
2,649
1,591
3,634
2,658
882
1,138
578
6,831
38,150

Total

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
47.6%
70.6%
64.2%
51.0%
48.1%
63.1%
47.8%
65.1%
65.4%
71.2%
62.7%
66.3%
61.4%
56.9%

Number
Paroled
2,564
2,479
1,777
8,672
2,774
2,932
2,355
4,161
3,385
1,444
1,830
830
11,588
46,791

Number
Returned
2,032
2,007
1,388
6,250
2,154
2,295
1,867
3,380
2,668
1,200
1,341
685
9,089
36,356

Recidivism
Rate
79.3%
81.0%
78.1%
72.1%
77.6%
78.3%
79.3%
81.2%
78.8%
83.1%
73.3%
82.5%
78.4%
77.7%

Direct discharges are not included since these individuals do not have a
parole county.

Number
Paroled
5,291
4,531
4,047
30,454
8,728
7,130
5,684
9,746
7,448
2,682
3,646
1,702
22,706
113,795

Number
Returned
3,330
3,456
2,845
17,369
5,020
4,944
3,458
7,014
5,326
2,082
2,479
1,263
15,920
74,506

Recidivism
Rate
62.9%
76.3%
70.3%
57.0%
57.5%
69.3%
60.8%
72.0%
71.5%
77.6%
68.0%
74.2%
70.1%
65.5%

21

22

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

8 Offender Characteristics
Offender characteristics include the categories for the controlling
crime of the current term; sentence type; special classifications of
inmates including registered sex offenders, serious or violent
offenders, mental health status; developmental disability,
substance abuse program participation, and risk to reoffend, as
measured by the California Static Risk Assessment (CSRA) at the
time of release.

8.1 Commitment Offense Category
Figure 7. Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense Category
100%
90%

At 69.1 percent,
inmates
committed to
CDCR for
property crimes
have the highest
three-year
recidivism rate.

80%
69.1%

70%

64.5%
58.8% 57.9%

60%
50%

60.5%

63.3% 63.0% 65.1%

51.9%
46.5%

45.2%

47.9%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year
Property Crime

Two Years
Drug Crime

Three Years
Other Crime

Total

Figure 7 and Table 8 reveal that inmates committed for property
crimes have the highest overall, three-year recidivism rate. Over
half of the inmates released with a property crime commitment
recidivated within the first year of release and 69.1 percent
recidivated within three years of their release. Inmates committed
for crimes against persons, drug crimes or other offenses
recidivate at an almost identical lower rate, whether it was at one,
two, or three years of follow-up.
Re-release inmates with drug crime commitments have a threeyear recidivism rate that is 21.9 percentage points higher than
first-release inmates with a drug crime commitment (76.5 percent
versus 54.6 percent, respectively). Similarly, re-releases with a
crime against a person commitment have a three-year recidivism

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

23

November 2011

rate that is approximately 19 percentage points higher than first
releases with a crime against a person commitment (73.1 percent
versus 53.8 percent, respectively).
There were slight declines (up to five percent) in the recidivism
rates by Commitment Offense Category for first releases,
re-releases and overall groupings from the FY 2005-06 cohort to
the FY 2006-07 cohort.
Table 8. Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense Category
First Releases
Offense Categories
Crime Against Persons
Property Crimes
Drug Crimes
Other Crimes
Total

Number
Released
14,179
22,802
22,124
7,924
67,029

Number
Returned
7,633
14,081
12,086
4,358
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
53.8%
61.8%
54.6%
55.0%
56.9%

Number
Released
12,141
16,025
14,599
5,460
48,225

Number
Returned
8,874
12,749
11,167
4,071
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
73.1%
79.6%
76.5%
74.6%
76.4%

Number
Released
26,320
38,827
36,723
13,384
115,254

Number
Returned
16,507
26,830
23,253
8,429
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
62.7%
69.1%
63.3%
63.0%
65.1%

24

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

8.2 Commitment Offense 8,9,10
Figure 8. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense
Murder Second

7.3%

Vehicular Manslaughter

33.5%

Sodomy

38.8%

CS Manufacturing

41.8%

Kidnapping

44.3%

Driving Under Influence

45.7%

Lewd Act With Child

46.5%

Attempted Murder Second

47.0%

Manslaughter

49.9%

Marijuana Other

50.3%

Sexual Penetration with Object

50.5%

Rape

51.1%

CS Possession for Sale

54.9%

Marijuana Possession for Sale

57.1%

Oral Copulation

58.7%

Forgery/Fraud

58.7%

CS Sales

60.2%

Hashish Possession

60.4%

Marijuana Sale

60.9%

Assault with Deadly Weapon

61.9%

Arson

62.0%

Grand Theft

63.5%

Robbery

64.3%

Other Offenses

64.5%

Escape/Abscond

65.5%

Other Property

66.0%

Other Assault/Battery

66.9%

Burglary - First Degree

67.0%

CS Other

67.5%

Burglary - Second Degree

69.0%

Possession Weapon

69.3%

CS Possession

69.4%

Petty Theft With Prior

71.4%

Receiving Stolen Property

71.5%

Other Sex Offenses

71.5%

Vehicle Theft

74.3%
0%

8

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Other sex offenses include failure to register as a sex offender, unlawful
sex with a minor, and indecent exposure.
9
Other offenses include false imprisonment, accessory, and malicious
harassment.
10
CS is an abbreviation for “Controlled Substance.”

100%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Figure 8 and Table 9 show the top three highest three-year
recidivism rates for all releases occurs for inmates who were
committed to a CDCR adult institution for vehicle theft, other sex
offenses and receiving stolen property (ranging from 71.5 to
74.3 percent). The lowest three recidivism rates for all releases
occur for inmates committed to CDCR for murder second,
vehicular manslaughter, and sodomy (ranging from 7.3 to
38.8 percent). Inmates committed for more serious crimes do not
have higher recidivism rates. For example, approximately 74
percent of inmates convicted of vehicle theft recidivate within three
years, whereas approximately 51.1 percent of inmates convicted
of rape (more than 20 percentage points less) recidivate within
three years.
There are also differences when examining commitment offense
grouping by type of release. Despite their commitment crime, all
re-releases have at least a 59 percent recidivism rate ranging from
as low as 59.2 percent (vehicular manslaughter) to 82.6 percent
(vehicle theft). However, such a broad statement cannot be made
for first releases due to the wide range in their recidivism rates,
which vary by as much as 66.1 percentage points. Murder second
is the lowest at 2.8 percent and vehicle theft is the highest at
69.0 percent.
Comparison to the FY 2005-06 cohort shows overall declines in
the FY 2006-07 cohort recidivism rates across most of the
offenses.
The largest overall decline was for sodomy
(-22.2 percentage points) and the largest overall increase was for
marijuana sale (+4.8 percentage points). With respect to first
releases, the largest decline was for escape/abscond
(-24.4 percentage points); however, the recidivism rates increased
for three offenses [attempted murder second (+0.8 percentage
points), marijuana sale (+5.6 percentage points) and oral
copulation (+11.8 percentage points)]. For re-releases, the largest
decline was for sexual penetration with object (-15.6 percentage
points); however, the recidivism rates increased for several
offenses [ranging from CS posession for sale (+0.2 percentage
points) to marijuana sale (+2.7 percentage points)].
Please also see Appendix C for an in-depth analysis of the
recidivism behavior of murderers who returned to CDCR either as
a new admission or with a new term over a 15-year time period.
Although this 15-year murderer recidivism report is not directly
related, or necessarily comparable, to the data presented in this
2011 Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report, it is included
for informational purposes.

The seriousness
of an inmate’s
commitment crime
may be inversely
related to his/her
recidivism risk.

25

26

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 9. Recidivism Rates by Commitment Offense 11
First Releases
Offense
Murder First
Murder Second
Attempted Murder First
Vehicular Manslaughter
Sodomy
CS Manufacturing
Kidnapping
Driving Under Influence
Lewd Act With Child
Attempted Murder Second
Manslaughter
Marijuana Other
Sexual Penetration with Object
Rape
CS Possession for Sale
Marijuana Possession for Sale
Oral Copulation
Forgery/Fraud
CS Sales
Hashish Possession
Marijuana Sale
Assault with Deadly Weapon
Arson
Grand Theft
Robbery
Other Offenses
Escape/Abscond
Other Property
Other Assault/Battery
Burglary - First Degree
CS Other
Burglary - Second Degree
Possession Weapon
CS Possession
Petty Theft With Prior
Other Sex Offenses
Receiving Stolen Property
Vehicle Theft
Total

Number
Released
6
36
11
190
27
545
143
1,901
1,018
213
303
86
56
191
6,762
716
90
2,203
2,049
29
284
3,229
149
2,106
2,817
2,088
78
676
4,873
1,883
373
4,417
3,708
11,280
3,585
976
3,103
4,829
67,029

11

Number
Returned
1
1
0
51
10
141
48
705
368
81
120
26
22
73
3,094
356
48
1,055
1,013
18
152
1,758
75
1,152
1,590
1,145
39
395
2,824
1,080
223
2,733
2,394
7,063
2,298
638
2,036
3,332
38,158

Total

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
N/A
2.8%
N/A
26.8%
N/A
25.9%
33.6%
37.1%
36.1%
38.0%
39.6%
30.2%
39.3%
38.2%
45.8%
49.7%
53.3%
47.9%
49.4%
N/A
53.5%
54.4%
50.3%
54.7%
56.4%
54.8%
50.0%
58.4%
58.0%
57.4%
59.8%
61.9%
64.6%
62.6%
64.1%
65.4%
65.6%
69.0%
56.9%

Number
Released
0
5
5
49
22
369
92
767
804
119
184
63
45
169
3,380
397
106
1,438
1,190
24
181
2,507
154
1,419
2,238
1,931
99
449
4,478
1,583
354
3,052
2,509
8,641
2,872
1,318
2,103
3,109
48,225

Number
Returned
0
2
3
29
9
241
56
515
479
75
123
49
29
111
2,478
280
67
1,082
936
14
131
1,795
113
1,088
1,659
1,449
77
348
3,434
1,243
268
2,421
1,917
6,770
2,310
1,003
1,688
2,569
36,861

Recidivism
Rate
N/A
N/A
N/A
59.2%
N/A
65.3%
60.9%
67.1%
59.6%
63.0%
66.8%
77.8%
64.4%
65.7%
73.3%
70.5%
63.2%
75.2%
78.7%
N/A
72.4%
71.6%
73.4%
76.7%
74.1%
75.0%
77.8%
77.5%
76.7%
78.5%
75.7%
79.3%
76.4%
78.3%
80.4%
76.1%
80.3%
82.6%
76.4%

Number
Released
6
41
16
239
49
914
235
2,668
1,822
332
487
149
101
360
10,142
1,113
196
3,641
3,239
53
465
5,736
303
3,525
5,055
4,019
177
1,125
9,351
3,466
727
7,469
6,217
19,921
6,457
2,294
5,206
7,938
115,254

Recidivism rates were not calculated when fewer than 30 inmates
were released.

Number
Returned
1
3
3
80
19
382
104
1,220
847
156
243
75
51
184
5,572
636
115
2,137
1,949
32
283
3,553
188
2,240
3,249
2,594
116
743
6,258
2,323
491
5,154
4,311
13,833
4,608
1,641
3,724
5,901
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
N/A
7.3%
N/A
33.5%
38.8%
41.8%
44.3%
45.7%
46.5%
47.0%
49.9%
50.3%
50.5%
51.1%
54.9%
57.1%
58.7%
58.7%
60.2%
60.4%
60.9%
61.9%
62.0%
63.5%
64.3%
64.5%
65.5%
66.0%
66.9%
67.0%
67.5%
69.0%
69.3%
69.4%
71.4%
71.5%
71.5%
74.3%
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

27

November 2011

8.3 Sentence Type
Figure 9. Recidivism Rates by Sentence Type
100%
90%
80%
70%

65.1%
60.5%

60%
50%

47.9%

40%
30%
20%
12.8%

10.5%

10%

4.7%

0%
One Year

Two Years

Determinate Sentence Law

Three Years
Indeterminate Sentence Law

California’s Determinate Sentencing Law 12 had been in effect for
about 35 years by the time the inmates in this FY 2006-07 cohort
were released. As a result, the vast majority of individuals who
were released served a determinate sentence. Figure 9 and
Table 10 show that despite this fact, the 72 inmates who were
released after having served an indeterminate sentence
recidivated at a rate that was much lower than those who served a
determinate sentence (12.8 percent versus 65.1 percent,
respectively). Those who served an indeterminate sentence are
more likely to be older than those who served a determinate
sentence.

Although few in
number, inmates
released after
having served an
indeterminate
sentence
recidivate at a
much lower rate
(12.8 percent) than
those who served
a determinate
sentence
(65.1 percent).

Table 10. Recidivism Rates by Sentence Type 13
First Releases
Sentence Type
Determinate Sentence Law
Indeterminate Sentence Law
Total

12

13

Number
Released
66,957
72
67,029

Number
Returned
38,153
5
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
57.0%
6.9%
56.9%

Number
Released
48,211
14
48,225

Number
Returned
36,855
6
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
76.4%
NA
76.4%

Number
Released
115,168
86
115,254

The Uniform Determinative Sentencing Act was enacted by the
California Legislature in 1976.
Recidivism rates were not calculated when fewer than 30 inmates were
released.

Number
Returned
75,008
11
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
65.1%
12.8%
65.1%

28

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

8.4 Sex Registrants
Figure 10. Recidivism Rates by Sex Registration Flag
100%
90%

Offenders who are
required to register
as a sex offender
have a slightly
higher recidivism
rate than those
who do not.

80%
70%

66.9%
62.5%

60%
50%

51.3%

65.0%

60.3%

47.6%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
Sex Registration Flag

Three Years

No Sex Registration Flag

Figure 10 and Table 11 show that for total releases, the three-year
recidivism rate for offenders required to register as a sex offender
(sex registrants) is 1.9 percentage points higher than those who
do not. First-release sex registrants have a slightly higher
recidivism rate than nonsex registrants (0.9 percentage points)
while re-release flagged sex offenders have a lower recidivism
rate than nonsex registrants (1.9 percentage points).
There was a reversal of the total recidivism rates from FY 2005-06
to FY 2006-07, with the 2006-07 cohort showing an increase in
recidivism in each of the three follow-up years. Examination into
this finding reveals that across the three years, the greatest
increase occurred in the one-year recidivism rates for sex
registrants (+4.8 percentage points). This may be an artifact of
the initial implementation of policies related to Jessica’s Law,
passed in November 2006, which led to increased supervision of
sex registrants.
Table 11. Recidivism Rates by Sex Registration Flag
First Releases
Sex Registration
Flag
Yes
No
Total

Number
Released
3,606
63,423
67,029

Number
Returned
2,083
36,075
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
57.8%
56.9%
56.9%

Number
Released
4,223
44,002
48,225

Number
Returned
3,155
33,706
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
74.7%
76.6%
76.4%

Number
Released
7,829
107,425
115,254

Number
Returned
5,238
69,781
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
66.9%
65.0%
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

29

November 2011

8.4.1 Recommitment Offense for Sex Registrants
Figure 11. Sex Registrant Recommitment Offense

84.4%
Parole Violation

5.9%
New Sex Crime
9.7%
N=5,238

New Nonsex Crime

Recidivating sex registrants are most often returned to prison for a
new nonsex crime than for a new sex crime. As seen in
Figure 11 and Table 12, a larger proportion of sex registrants
return to prison for a new nonsex crime offense (9.7 percent),
exceeding those who return to prison for a new sex crime
(5.9 percent).
A slightly higher proportion of sex registrants return to prison for a
new sex crime or for a new nonsex crime after having served
more than one prison sentence (an increase of 2.2 and
0.7 percentage points, respectively). Regardless of the release
type, 84.4 percent of sex registrants return to prison for parole
violations.
From FY 2005-06 to FY 2006-07, there was a slight decrease in
the proportion of parole violators (-1.6 percent) and an increase in
those
who
returned
for
a
new
sex
crime
(+0.9 percent) and a new nonsex crime (+0.8 percent).

Offenders who are
required to register
as a sex offender
are more likely to
be recommitted to
CDCR for a new
nonsex crime than
for a new sex
crime.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 12. Sex Registrant Recommitment Offense
First Releases Returned Re-Releases Returned
Reason for Recidivism
New Sex Crime
New Nonsex Crime
Parole Violation
Total

Number
95
193
1,795
2,083

Percent
4.6
9.3
86.2
100.0

Number
216
315
2,624
3,155

Total Returned

Percent
6.8
10.0
83.2
100.0

Number
311
508
4,419
5,238

Percent
5.9
9.7
84.4
100.0

8.5 Comparison of Violent, Drug and Registered
Sex Offender Recidivism Rates By Age
Figure 12. Violent, Drug and Registered Sex Offender
Recidivism Rates By Age
72.4%
74.1%

18-19

68.1%
70.3%
70.5%

20-24
58.6%

25-29

54.5%

30-34

Age Groups

30

61.1%

57.3%

35-39

56.7%

40-44
51.2%

45-49

48.1%

50-54
38.4%

55-59
23.3%

60 +
0%

10%

20%

65.6%

63.6%
67.3%
62.1%

61.8%

57.2%

52.9%

65.5%
69.2%

69.8%

69.6%

65.6%

58.8%

47.3%
50.0%

30%

Violent Offenders

40%

50%

Drug Offenders

60%

70%

80%

90%

Registered Sex Offenders

Figure 12 and Table 13 depict recidivism rates for violent, drug
and registered sex offenders stratified by age. Individuals who
were identified as a violent offender had the lowest total recidivism
rates (58.1 percent) followed by drug offenders (62.8 percent) and
registered sex offenders (66.9 percent). This same pattern was
found within each age grouping.
Recidivism rates by age followed the same pattern found in the
age at release analysis, except for the youngest age group, which
had the highest rates for these types of offenses. There were less
than 30 registered sex offenders released in this age group, so a
rate was not calculated. Consistent with these earlier findings,

100%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

31

November 2011

recidivism rates peaked at age 35-39 and declined thereafter for
each group, with the exception that registered sex offender
recidivism rate declines did not begin until after age 45. Again,
the higher recidivism rates for registered sex offenders may be an
artifact of increased supervision requirements.
Table 13. Violent, Drug and Registered Sex Offender
Recidivism Rates By Age 14
Violent Offenders
Age
Groups
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60 +
Total

Number
Released
58
1,641
2,252
1,368
944
735
529
270
112
86
7,995

Number
Returned
42
1,117
1,319
745
541
417
271
130
43
20
4,645

Recidivism
Rate
72.4%
68.1%
58.6%
54.5%
57.3%
56.7%
51.2%
48.1%
38.4%
23.3%
58.1%

Drug Offenders
Number
Released
81
3,351
6,029
5,461
6,170
6,009
4,725
2,399
906
370
35,501

Number
Returned
60
2,357
3,952
3,334
3,927
3,731
2,922
1,372
479
175
22,309

Registered Sex Offenders

Recidivism
Rate
74.1%
70.3%
65.5%
61.1%
63.6%
62.1%
61.8%
57.2%
52.9%
47.3%
62.8%

Number
Released
11
404
918
986
1,243
1,412
1,279
800
400
376
7,829

Number
Returned
11
285
635
647
837
985
890
525
235
188
5,238

Recidivism
Rate
N/A
70.5%
69.2%
65.6%
67.3%
69.8%
69.6%
65.6%
58.8%
50.0%
66.9%

8.6 Serious or Violent Offenders
Figure 13. Recidivism Rates by Serious/Violent Offender Flag

100%
90%
80%
70%

66.2%
61.6%

60%

60.9%

56.0%
49.2%

50%
42.8%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
Serious/Violent Offenders

14

Three Years

No Serious/Violent Flag

Recidivism rates were not calculated when fewer than 30 inmates were
released.

Inmates
identified as being
serious/violent
recidivate at a
rate lower than
those without a
serious/violent
offense.

32

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Figure 13 and Table 14 show that across all three years
serious/violent offenders return to prison at a lower rate than
inmates not flagged for serious/violent offenses. Within the first
year of release, roughly 50 percent of the nonserious/nonviolent
inmates return to prison and 42.8 percent of serious/violent
offenders return to prison. By the third year, nonserious/nonviolent
inmates recidivate at a rate of 66.2 percent and serious/violent
offenders recidivate at a rate of 60.9 percent.
First-release serious/violent and nonserious/nonviolent inmates
recidivate at lower rates (52.1 percent and 58.1 percent,
respectively)
than
re-release
serious/violent
and
nonserious/nonviolent inmates (72.5 percent and 77.5 percent,
respectively). When compared to the FY 2005-06 cohort, overall
the FY 2006-07 cohort showed the greatest decline in recidivism
rates for the nonserious/nonviolent offenders, particularly those
who were first releases.
Table 14. Recidivism Rates by Serious/Violent Offender Flag
Re-Releases

First Releases
Serious/Violent
Offense
Yes
No
Total

Number
Released
13,312
53,717
67,029

Number
Returned
6,932
31,226
38,158

Recidivism
Rate
52.1%
58.1%
56.9%

Number
Released
10,171
38,054
48,225

Number
Returned
7,378
29,483
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
72.5%
77.5%
76.4%

Number
Released
23,483
91,771
115,254

Number
Returned
14,310
60,709
75,019

8.7 Mental Health Status 15
Approximately 14 percent of the felons released from CDCR in
FY 2006-07 were designated as either EOP or CCCMS. EOP is
designed for mentally ill inmates who experience adjustment
difficulties in a general population setting, but are not so impaired
that they require 24-hour inpatient care. Similar to secure daytreatment services in the community, the program includes
10 hours of structured clinical activity per week, individual clinical
contacts at least every 2 weeks, and enhanced nursing services.
Inmates receiving CCCMS services are housed within the general
population and participate on an outpatient basis. Services
include individual counseling, crisis intervention, medication
review, group therapy, social skills training, clinical discharge and
pre-release planning. This is similar to an outpatient program in
the community.

15

EOP and CCCMS are CDCR designations and do not necessarily
reflect a clinical (e.g., Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) mental health
diagnosis.

Recidivism
Rate
60.9%
66.2%
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

33

November 2011

Figure 14. Recidivism Rates by Mental Health Status
100%
90%
80%

60%

75.1%

71.0%

70%

70.3%
66.3%

63.9%
59.2%

59.3%
53.2%

50%

46.6%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year
Enhanced Outpatient Program

Two Years
Correctional Clinical Case Management System

Three Years
No Mental Health Code

Figure 14 and Table 15 show that inmates with identified mental
health issues recidivate at higher rates than those who are not.
The recidivism rate is higher for inmates who received mental
health treatment services in the CDCR EOP than those who
received services in the CCCMS. Specifically, the recidivism rates
for the EOP and CCCMS inmates are higher (75.1 and
70.3 percent, respectively) than that for inmates who did not have
a mental health code designation (63.9 percent).
At the end of three years, first-release inmates with an EOP
designation recidivate at higher rate (69.9 percent) than those
designated as CCCMS (62.7 percent). In addition, first releases
who were served by the EOP have a recidivism rate that is
14 percentage points higher than those who did not have a mental
health code designation, and first-release inmates served by the
CCCMS recidivated at a rate that was 6.8 percentage points
higher. In contrast, the recidivism rates for re-released mental
health inmates did not differ much from nonmental health inmates.
Re-released inmates who were EOP or CCCMS have a higher
recidivism rate (79.0 percent and 78.2 percent, respectively) than
nonmental health inmates (76.0 percent).
When compared to the FY 2005-06 cohort, CCCMS inmates had
the greatest recidivism rate decline (-4 percentage points).

Overall, inmates
with identified
mental health
issues recidivate at
a higher rate than
those without
mental health
issues.

34

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 15. Recidivism Rates by Mental Health Status 16
First Releases
Mental Health Code
Enhanced Outpatient Program
Correctional Clinical Case Management System
Crisis Bed
No Mental Health Code
Department Mental Health
Total

Number
Released
2,337
5,660
8
59,024
0
67,029

Number
Returned
1,633
3,551
4
32,970
0
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
69.9%
62.7%
N/A
55.9%
N/A
56.9%

Number
Released
3,096
5,471
8
39,649
1
48,225

Number
Returned
2,447
4,278
7
30,128
1
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
79.0%
78.2%
N/A
76.0%
N/A
76.4%

Number
Released
5,433
11,131
16
98,673
1
115,254

Number
Returned
4,080
7,829
11
63,098
1
75,019

8.8 Risk of Recidivism

Observed
recidivism rates
increase in line
with predicted
recidivism rates,
as measured by
the CSRA.

The CSRA is a tool used to calculate an offender’s risk of being
convicted of a new offense after release from prison. Based on
their criminal history, offenders are designated as having either a
low, medium or high risk of being convicted of a new offense after
release, with the high risk being further delineated with three subcategories (high drug, high property and high violence). Over half
of all inmates released from CDCR in FY 2006-07 were
designated as being at high-risk of recidivism.
Figure 15. Recidivism Rates by CSRA Risk Category
100%
90%
80%

75.6%
70.9%

70%
60%

59.0%

57.6%

54.2%

50%
41.4%

40%
30%

42.8%
38.6%

28.4%

20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
Low

16

Medium

Three Years
High

Recidivism rates were not calculated when fewer than 30 inmates
were released.

Recidivism
Rate
75.1%
70.3%
N/A
63.9%
N/A
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

As expected, the three-year recidivism rate for all releases is
lowest for those with a low-risk score (42.8 percent) followed by
those with a medium-risk score (59.0 percent), and the high-risk
inmates have the highest recidivism rate (75.6 percent)
(see Figure 15 and Table 16).
Similarly, recidivism rates for first releases and re-releases
increase as inmate risk level increases. However, the lower the
risk score, the larger the difference in recidivism rate between first
releases and re-releases. Low-risk re-releases recidivate at a rate
about 27 percentage points higher than low-risk first releases.
Medium-risk re-releases recidivate at a rate 20 percentage points
higher than medium-risk first releases. High-risk re-releases
recidivate at a rate 11 percentage points higher than high-risk first
releases. The greatest decline in recidivism rates by risk score
from the FY 2005-06 cohort occurred for first releases, which
range from a decrease of 3.4 to 4.2 percentage points.
Table 16. Recidivism Rates by CSRA Risk Category 17
First Releases
Number
Released
13,223
21,024
31,378
1,404
67,029

Risk Score
Low
Medium
High
N/A
Total

Number
Returned
4,579
10,882
22,048
649
38,158

Total

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
34.6%
51.8%
70.3%
46.2%
56.9%

Number
Released
5,621
11,760
29,608
1,236
48,225

Number
Returned
3,481
8,446
24,079
855
36,861

Recidivism
Rate
61.9%
71.8%
81.3%
69.2%
76.4%

Number
Released
18,844
32,784
60,986
2,640
115,254

Number
Returned
8,060
19,328
46,127
1,504
75,019

9 CDCR Incarceration Experience
For the purpose of this report, length-of-stay refers to the total
amount of time an inmate served in CDCR adult institutions on the
term from which she/he was released in FY 2006-07, regardless
of the number of times an inmate cycled in and out of
incarceration prior to the FY 2006-07 release.
Example: Prior to being released in FY 2006-07, an inmate who
was initially committed to CDCR on August 1, 2002,
initially paroled on August 1, 2004 (24 months served
at CDCR), returned to prison on the same term on
December 1, 2004, was released again on
April 1, 2005 (4 more months served at CDCR), then

17

N/A reflects scores computed manually for inmates whose CII
numbers did not match to the Department of Justice rap sheet data
files. Consequently, the CSRA scores for these inmates are currently
unavailable.

Recidivism
Rate
42.8%
59.0%
75.6%
57.0%
65.1%

35

36

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

returned to prison on the same term on April 1, 2006,
and was released during the FY 2006-07 cohort period
on August 1, 2006 (4 months served at CDCR). Added
together, this inmate would have a total of 32 months in
CDCR for the current term.

9.1 Length-of-Stay (Current Term)
Figure 16. Recidivism Rates by Length-of-Stay
100%
90%

Recidivism rates
peak for inmates
who serve
2 to 3 years
(69.8 percent) and
decline thereafter,
which may be
attributed to the
effects of age.

80%
68.7%

70%
60%

58.3%

69.3%

69.8%

67.0%

62.7%

61.5%

60.4%

57.2%

50%
40.1%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0-6
months

7 - 12
months

13 - 18
months

19 - 24
months

2-3
years

3-4
years

4-5
years

5 - 10
years

10 - 15
years

15 +
years

Figure 16 and Table 17 show that the FY 2006-07 cohort
recidivism rate is 58.3 percent for inmates who served 0 to 6
months on their current term. From that point, the recidivism rate
increases incrementally until it peaks at 69.8 percent for those
who served 2 to 3 years on their current term. Thereafter, the
recidivism rate drops steadily as the length-of-stay increases,
ending with inmates who served 15 or more years having a
recidivism rate of 40.1 percent.
First releases show a different pattern than that of the overall
cohort. First releases peak at 13 to 18 months (60.3 percent)
ending with inmates who served 15 or more years having a
28.0 percent recidivism rate. Re-releases show a similar pattern
to that of the overall cohort, peaking at 13 to 18 months and 19 to
24 months (78.3 percent) and then decreasing thereafter.
Diverging from the first releases and the overall cohort, rereleases end with inmates who served 15 or more years having a
much higher recidivism rate (59.5 percent). The effects of lengthof-stay may also be confounded by the effects of age.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

There were declines in all length-of-stay categories from
FYs 2005-06 to 2006-07, with the slightest decrease occurring for
those who stayed 2 to 3 years (-0.2 percentage points) to those
who stayed 0 to 6 months (-4.8 percentage points). The exception
was for those who stayed 15-plus years, as their recidivism rates
increased by 2.3 percentage points.
Table 17. Recidivism Rates by Length-of-Stay
First Releases
Length-of-Stay
0 - 6 months
7 - 12 months
13 - 18 months
19 - 24 months
2 - 3 years
3 - 4 years
4 - 5 years
5 - 10 years
10 - 15 years
15 + years
Total

Number
Released
10,126
26,128
11,082
6,250
5,706
2,546
1,670
2,828
575
118
67,029

Number
Returned
5,606
15,340
6,680
3,607
3,245
1,310
775
1,292
270
33
38,158

Total

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
55.4%
58.7%
60.3%
57.7%
56.9%
51.5%
46.4%
45.7%
47.0%
28.0%
56.9%

Number
Released
2,301
8,147
9,708
7,983
9,777
4,440
2,014
3,313
468
74
48,225

Number
Returned
1,645
6,159
7,599
6,252
7,556
3,369
1,490
2,420
327
44
36,861

Recidivism
Rate
71.5%
75.6%
78.3%
78.3%
77.3%
75.9%
74.0%
73.0%
69.9%
59.5%
76.4%

Number
Released
12,427
34,275
20,790
14,233
15,483
6,986
3,684
6,141
1,043
192
115,254

Number
Returned
7,251
21,499
14,279
9,859
10,801
4,679
2,265
3,712
597
77
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
58.3%
62.7%
68.7%
69.3%
69.8%
67.0%
61.5%
60.4%
57.2%
40.1%
65.1%

37

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

9.2 Number of Returns to CDCR Custody Prior to
Release (Current Term Only)

Re-released
Inmates who
return to CDCR
incarceration at
least one time
during their current
term have a
recidivism rate
similar to inmates
who have multiple
returns
to custody.

Figure 17. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Number of Returns to
CDCR Custody (RTC) on the Current Term Prior to
Release
100%
90%
80%

75.5%

77.7%

78.7%

77.8%

76.2%
72.8%

70%
60%

70.0%

72.5%

68.8%
61.2%

56.9%

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
None

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10+

Number of Prior RTCs

Figure 17 and Table 18 show the number of returns to CDCR
custody on the current term for inmates released from CDCR
during FY 2006-07. The “None” category represents inmates
released for the first time (i.e., these individuals have no prior
returns for their current term).
There is little variation in the recidivism rate despite the number of
prior returns to CDCR custody within the current term. A
re-released inmate who returns once on the current term has a
recidivism rate similar to that of a re-released inmate who returns
twice, three times, four times, etc. This relationship changes
when all stays on all terms are taken into account (see
Section 9.3, below).
From FY 2005-06 to FY 2006-07, there were minor shifts in the
recidivism rates for each number of RTCs (with some increasing

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

and some decreasing). The greatest change was for those who
had 10-plus returns, which increased 10.5 percentage points. 18

Table 18.

Number of Returns to CDCR Custody on Current
Term Prior to Release
Total
RTCs on
Current Term
None
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
Total

18

Number
Released
67,029
22,128
11,313
6,505
3,705
2,077
1,205
640
357
170
125
115,254

Number Recidivism
Returned
Rate
38,158
56.9%
16,711
75.5%
8,794
77.7%
5,119
78.7%
2,881
77.8%
1,582
76.2%
877
72.8%
448
70.0%
259
72.5%
104
61.2%
86
68.8%
75,019
65.1%

This increase is likely due to a manual correction that was applied to a
small number of records in the FY 2006-07 cohort dataset.
This
relatively minor update presents with a notable change in the
recidivism rate since there are so few individuals who return to CDCR
10-plus times on their current term.

39

40

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

9.3 Number of CDCR Stays Ever
(All Terms Combined)
Figure 18. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Total Number of
Stays Ever

Over an inmate’s
entire criminal
career, recidivism
rates increase with
each additional
stay at a CDCR
institution.

1

47.3%

2

64.1%

3

69.0%

4

70.1%

5

70.8%

6

73.5%

7

74.7%

8

76.1%

9

78.4%

10

79.4%

11

79.6%

12

81.2%

13

81.5%

14

81.8%

15+

86.5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

A stay is defined as any period of time an inmate is housed in a
CDCR institution. Each time an inmate returns to prison it is
considered a new stay, regardless of whether the return
represents a new admission, a parole violation with a new term, or
a return to prison following a parole violation. The number of
stays is cumulative over any number of convictions or terms in an
offender’s criminal career.
As the number of prior incarcerations in CDCR adult institutions
increases, so does the likelihood of return to prison (see Figure 18
and Table 19). Examination of prior CDCR stays for inmates
released in FY 2006-07 supports this assertion. While there are
progressively fewer inmates who return to prison over time, the
recidivism rates for those who do return increases incrementally
with each additional stay, from 47.3 percent for inmates who had
one (first ever) stay to 86.5 percent for inmates who had 15-plus
stays. Almost half (47.7 percent) of the inmates returned to prison
have between one and three CDCR stays, and the greatest
increase in the recidivism rates occurs between one and two stays
(16.8 percentage point increase).

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

From FY 2005-06 to 2006-07, there were overall declines in the
recidivism rates for most categories of stays, ranging from six
stays (-0.5 percentage points) to fourteen stays (-4.6 percentage
points). The only increases were for offenders who had two stays
(+2.2 percentage points) and fifteen or more stays
(+0.2 percentage points).
Table 19. Recidivism Rates by Total Number of Stays Ever
First Releases
Stays
1

Number
Released
32,983

Number
Returned
15,589

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
47.3%

Number
Released
0

Number
Returned
0

Total
Recidivism
Rate
N/A

Number
Released
32,983

Number
Returned
15,589

Recidivism
Rate
47.3%

2

7,926

4,442

56.0%

10,012

7,062

70.5%

17,938

11,504

64.1%

3

5,137

3,177

61.8%

7,485

5,536

74.0%

12,622

8,713

69.0%

4

3,964

2,492

62.9%

5,544

4,176

75.3%

9,508

6,668

70.1%

5

3,285

2,143

65.2%

4,245

3,189

75.1%

7,530

5,332

70.8%

6

2,719

1,877

69.0%

3,467

2,672

77.1%

6,186

4,549

73.5%

7

2,190

1,589

72.6%

2,892

2,205

76.2%

5,082

3,794

74.7%

8

1,846

1,340

72.6%

2,519

1,983

78.7%

4,365

3,323

76.1%

9

1,440

1,091

75.8%

2,089

1,677

80.3%

3,529

2,768

78.4%

10

1,163

887

76.3%

1,782

1,450

81.4%

2,945

2,337

79.4%

11

944

730

77.3%

1,478

1,198

81.1%

2,422

1,928

79.6%

12

777

606

78.0%

1,315

1,092

83.0%

2,092

1,698

81.2%

13

595

463

77.8%

1,086

907

83.5%

1,681

1,370

81.5%

14
15+
Total

479

381

79.5%

878

729

83.0%

1,357

1,110

81.8%

1,581
67,029

1,351
38,158

85.5%
56.9%

3,433
48,225

2,985
36,861

87.0%
76.4%

5,014
115,254

4,336
75,019

86.5%
65.1%

41

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

10 Recidivism by Institutional Missions
10.1 Institution Missions
Figure 19. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Institutional
Missions 19
100%
90%

Inmates housed in
reception centers
at least 30 days
prior to release are
more likely to
recidivate than
inmates housed at
any other CDCR
mission.

80%
73.5%

70%

64.4%

64.7%

66.6%

60%

56.3%

57.2%

Level IV

Female
Institutions

58.4%
52.3%

56.3%

50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Level I

Level II

Level III

Camps

Reception
Centers

Other
Facilities

Under 30
days

Institutional Mission

Figure 19 and Table 20 show the three-year recidivism rates for
the FY 2006-07 inmates categorized by the last mission 20 in which
they were housed for at least 30 days prior to being released. The
three-year recidivism rate is highest for inmates who were
released to parole from reception centers (73.5 percent), likely
influenced by re-releases as they are oftentimes housed in
reception centers when their parole has been revoked.
Recidivism rates were fairly comparable for inmates who were

19

20

Since inmates are often transferred to institutions closer to their county
just prior to release, it was decided that the last institution where an
inmate spent at least 30 days prior to being released to parole in
FY 2006-07 would be the inmate’s institution of release. The “Under
30 Days” category reflects those inmates who were not incarcerated in
any one institution for at least 30 days prior to being paroled.
Since females are not housed according to levels, all female institutions
are collapsed and displayed as “Female Institutions.” Levels I through
IV are male only. Camps, reception centers, other facilities and under
30 days categories are comprised of both males and females.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

assigned to the first three housing levels (approximately 64 to
67 percent) with inmates who were assigned to camps having the
lowest overall recidivism rate of all CDCR missions (52.3 percent).
While women housed in CDCR female institutions recidivated at a
slightly higher rate than males in Level IV housing (approximately
1.0 percentage point) and CDCR camps (4.9 percentage points),
females still had a lower rate than males housed in Level I
through III institutions, as well as inmates housed in reception
centers and “other facilities.”
First releases recidivate at a lower rate (ranging from 48.8 to
62.1 percent) than re-releases (ranging from 72.0 to 80.0 percent).
After ranking the recidivism rates from highest to lowest for each
mission for both first and re-releases (Table 21), comparisons of
the results show that inmates who are housed in reception centers
have the highest recidivism rate when they are first releases and
the third lowest recidivism rate when they are re-releases. In
addition, inmates housed in both Level III and Level IV institutions
have a higher likelihood to recidivate when they are re-releases.
Women housed in female institutions have the lowest recidivism
rates irrespective of release type.
From FY 2005-06 to 2006-07, the total recidivism rates
decreased, ranging from a 1.2 percentage point decrease for
inmates released from Level III housing to a 6.5 percentage point
decrease for those released from a camp. The exception was a
slight increase for those released from Level IV housing
(+0.8 percentage points). A similar pattern was found for first
releases and re-releases.
Table 20 presents the percentage of inmates who were released
with a high CSRA score (i.e., were identified as having a high risk
to recidivate) by mission. Although it may seem logical that
inmate risk to recidivate would increase as housing level
increased, there is actually almost an inverse relationship between
these two factors, with risk to recidivate decreasing as security
housing increases. The exception to this finding is for Level III
inmates who have both a high CDCR security housing level and
also represent the greatest proportion of inmates (within the four
housing levels) that have high CSRA risk scores.
Appendix D shows these mission recidivism rates further broken
out by gender and institutions.

Although inmates
housed in
reception centers
have the highest
recidivism rate for
all missions overall
and for first
releases, inmates
re-released from
reception centers
have the third
lowest rate for all
missions.

43

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 20. Recidivism Rates by Institutional Missions 21
Percent of Total
Released with a
High Risk
Institutional Mission CSRA Score
Level I
53.8%
Level II
51.1%
Level III
58.1%
Level IV
50.9%
Female Institutions
32.8%
Camps
49.5%
Reception Centers
58.6%
Other Facilities
54.0%
Under 30 days
36.9%
Total
52.9%

First Releases
Number
Released
12,663
16,951
7,654
6,229
5,337
2,837
5,745
8,876
737
67,029

Number Recidivism
Returned
Rate
7,415
58.6%
9,980
58.9%
4,720
61.7%
3,111
49.9%
2,604
48.8%
1,484
52.3%
3,568
62.1%
4,862
54.8%
414
56.2%
38,158
56.9%

Re-Releases
Number
Released
5,534
8,416
2,790
1,684
3,053
1
24,903
1,839
5
48,225

Number Recidivism Number
Returned
Rate
Released
4,295
77.6%
18,197
6,439
76.5%
25,367
2,231
80.0%
10,444
1,345
79.9%
7,913
2,199
72.0%
8,390
0
N/A
2,838
18,950
76.1%
30,648
1,398
76.0%
10,715
4
N/A
742
36,861
76.4%
115,254

Table 21. Recidivism Rates by Institutional Missions
Sorted from Highest to Lowest
First Releases
Institutional
Mission
Reception Centers
Level III
Level II
Level I
Under 30 days
Other Facilities
Camps
Level IV
Female Institutions

Recidivism
Rate
62.1%
61.7%
58.9%
58.6%
56.2%
54.8%
52.3%
49.9%
48.8%

Re-Releases
Institutional
Mission
Level III
Level IV
Level I
Level II
Reception Centers
Other Facilities
Female Institutions
Camps
Under 30 days

Recidivism
Rate
80.0%
79.9%
77.6%
76.5%
76.1%
76.0%
72.0%
N/A
N/A

10.2 Security Housing Unit (SHU)
Approximately 5 percent of the felons released from CDCR in
FY 2006-07 were housed in a SHU at some point on the term for
which they were released. Inmates whose conduct endangers the
safety of others or the security of the institution are housed in a
SHU. In most cases, these inmates have committed serious rules
violations (e.g., assault on an inmate or staff) while housed in a
general population setting or have been validated as a member or
associate of a prison gang.

21

Recidivism rates were not calculated where less than 30 inmates
were released.

Total
Number Recidivism
Returned
Rate
11,710
64.4%
16,419
64.7%
6,951
66.6%
4,456
56.3%
4,803
57.2%
1,484
52.3%
22,518
73.5%
6,260
58.4%
418
56.3%
75,019
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

45

November 2011

Figure 20. Recidivism Rates by Security Housing Unit Status
100%
90%
80%
69.8%

70%

64.8%

64.9%

Overall, inmates
who were
assigned to a
Security Housing
Unit recidivated at a
higher rate than
those who were not.

60.2%

60%
52.2%

50%

47.6%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
SHU

Three Years

No SHU

Figure 20 and Table 22 show that across all three years inmates
who were assigned to a SHU recidivated at higher rate than those
who have were not assigned to a SHU.
First-release inmates who were assigned to a SHU recidivated at
a rate which was five percentage points higher than first-release
inmates who were not assigned to a SHU (61.7 percent and 56.7
percent, respectively).
Re-release inmates who were assigned to a SHU recidivated at a
rate that was nearly one percentage point higher than re-release
inmates who were not assigned to a SHU (77.2 percent and 76.4
percent, respectively).
See Appendix E for detailed rates of recidivism for inmates
housed in a SHU by CDCR institution.
Table 22. Recidivism Rates by Security Housing Unit Status
First Releases
SHU Status
SHU
No SHU
Total

Number
Paroled
2,863
64,166
67,029

Number Recidivism
Returned
Rate
1,766
61.7%
36,392
56.7%
38,158
56.9%

Re-Releases
Number
Paroled
3,139
45,086
48,225

Number
Returned
2,423
34,438
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
77.2%
76.4%
76.4%

Number
Paroled
6,002
109,252
115,254

Number
Returned
4,189
70,830
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
69.8%
64.8%
65.1%

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

11 Recidivism by CDCR Program
There are a number of programs at CDCR. Below are recidivism
rates by program participation where the data are available for
analysis. Future reports will provide results for other programs as
well.

11.1 Developmental Disability Program (DDP)
Criteria for inclusion in the DDP are low cognitive functioning
(usually IQ of 75 or below) and concurrent deficits or impairments
in adaptive functioning. Both criteria must be met. All inmates
included in the DDP are assigned to housing that addresses their
safety and security needs and are provided with appropriate,
specific adaptive support services. Adaptive support services
include self-care, daily living skills, social skills and self-advocacy.

Figure 21. Recidivism Rates by DDP Participation
100%
90%
80%

77.7%

73.6%

70%

Overall, inmates
with a designated
developmental
disability recidivate
at a higher rate than
those without a
developmental
disability
designation.

60%
50%

64.9%

61.6%

60.3%

47.7%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
One Year

Two Years
DDP

Three Years
No DDP

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Figure 21 and Table 23 show that across all three years
individuals who participated in the DDP return to prison at a higher
rate than those who did not participate. Within the first year of
release, roughly 60 percent of the inmates from the DDP returned
to prison, whereas those not from the DDP returned at a rate that
was slightly less than 50 percent. By the third year, these
recidivism rates climbed to 77.7 and 64.9 percent, respectively.
First-releases in both groups recidivate at lower rates
(70.7 percent and 56.8 percent, respectively) than re-releases
(83.9 percent and 76.3 percent, respectively).

Table 23. Recidivism Rates by DDP Participation
First Releases
Developmental Disability Program
(DDP) Status
DDP
No DDP
Total

Number
Released
813
66,216
67,029

Number
Returned
575
37,583
38,158

Re-Releases
Recidivism
Rate
70.7%
56.8%
56.9%

Number
Released
919
47,306
48,225

Number
Returned
771
36,090
36,861

Total
Recidivism
Rate
83.9%
76.3%
76.4%

11.2 In-Prison and Community-Based Substance
Abuse (SAP) Treatment Programs 22
In-Prison Substance Abuse Programs and Community-Based
(SAPs) are designed to create an extended exposure to a
continuum of services during incarceration and facilitate a
successful re-entry into community living. These services,
provided in both female and male institutions, include substance
abuse treatment and recovery services; social, cognitive and
behavioral counseling; life skills training; health-related education;
and relapse prevention.
Community-based substance abuse treatment programs (also
referred to as “continuing care” or “aftercare”) provide post-release
substance abuse treatment services through the Substance
Abuse Services Coordination Agencies (SASCA). There are four
SASCAs, one in each parole region, that are responsible for
referring, placing, and tracking parolees in appropriate substance
abuse programs.

22

This analysis only includes data for SAP programs operated by the
CDCR Office of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Data for
substance abuse treatment programs administered by the
Department of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) (e.g. STAR, RSMC,
PSC) are not included.

Number
Released
1,732
113,522
115,254

Number
Returned
1,346
73,673
75,019

Recidivism
Rate
77.7%
64.9%
65.1%

47

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Figure 22. Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Substance Abuse
Treatment Program Involvement
100%
90%

The combination of
in-prison SAP and
aftercare results in
the best outcome: a
recidivism rate that is
much lower than
those who did not
participate in
in-prison SAP
(with or without
aftercare).

80%

78.0%

70%

66.5%

64.7%

62.3%

60%

66.6%

50%

65.3%

46.2%

40%
30%

29.3%

29.7%

20%
10%
0%
In-Prison SAP Participant
Completers

In-Prison SAP Participant
Non-Completers

Aftercare Completed

Some Aftercare

No In-Prison SAP
Participation
No Aftercare

Figure 22 and Table 24 depict recidivism rates by Substance
Abuse Program (SAP) involvement during and after incarceration.
Individuals who completed 23 an in-prison SAP recidivated at rates
that were almost identical to those who did not complete an
in-prison SAP, with those completing community-based aftercare
recidivating at the lowest rate (approximately 30 percent).
Given this finding, at first blush it would appear there is little value
offered by the in-prison SAP; however, further examination
revealed higher recidivism rates for those who had no in-prison
SAP and either completed or received some aftercare.
Specifically, the no in-prison SAP group who completed aftercare
still had a recidivism rate that was approximately 16 percentage
points higher than those who were involved in in-prison SAP.
Furthermore, those who did not receive in-prison SAP and only
received aftercare had the highest recidivism rate (79 percent).
The implication of this finding suggests that the combination of inprison SAP and aftercare results in the best outcome: a
recidivism rate that is much lower than those who did not
participate in in-prison SAP (with or without aftercare). These

23

“Completers” are identified based on clinical judgment that the
participant has successfully met the SAP treatment goals.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

49

November 2011

results should be interpreted with caution since the number of
aftercare completers is small.
For further information on SAP participants, see Appendix F.
Table 24.

Recidivism Rates by Substance Abuse Treatment
Program Involvement 24
First Releases

Substance Abuse Treatment
Program Involvement
In-Prison SAP Participant
Completers
No Aftercare
Some Aftercare
Completed Aftercare
In-Prison SAP Participant
Non-Completers
No Aftercare
Some Aftercare
Completed Aftercare
No In-Prison SAP
Participation
Some Aftercare
Completed Aftercare
Did Not Participate in SAP
or Aftercare
Total

Total

Re-Releases

Number
Released

Number
Returned

Recidivism
Rate

Number
Released

Number
Returned

Recidivism
Rate

Number
Released

Number
Returned

Recidivism
Rate

5,540
927
636

3,389
567
182

61.2%
61.2%
28.6%

1,982
80
29

1,611
60
13

81.3%
75.0%
NA

7,522
1,007
665

5,000
627
195

66.5%
62.3%
29.3%

3,286
455
297

1,978
293
88

60.2%
64.4%
29.6%

1,261
43
13

1,028
29
4

81.5%
67.4%
NA

4,547
498
310

3,006
322
92

66.1%
64.7%
29.7%

126
73

80
24

63.5%
32.9%

189
90

169
53

89.4%
58.9%

315
163

249
77

79.0%
47.2%

55,689

31,557

56.7%

44,538

33,894

76.1%

100,227

65,451

65.3%

67,029

38,158

48,225

36,861

115,254

75,019

56.9%

76.4%

65.1%

12 Type of Return to CDCR
As illustrated in Figure 23, almost half of the inmates released in
FY 2006-07 returned to prison for a parole violation within the
three-year follow-up period. Nineteen percent of the release
cohort returned to CDCR after being convicted of a new criminal
offense.

24

These results should not be compared to the FY 2005-06 Division of
Addiction and Recovery Services (DARS) “In-Prison Substance
Abuse Program (SAP) Return to Prison Analysis and Data Tables”
report due to major differences in cohort selection and methodology.

Almost 50 percent
of the inmates
released during FY
2006-07 returned
for parole
violations within
the three-year
follow-up period.

50

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Figure 23. Three-year outcomes for inmates released from all
CDCR adult institutions in FY 2006-07.

Other Crimes
2%

Parole Violations
45%

Drug Crimes
7%

Property Crimes
7%

Successful
Three Years Out
35%

Crimes Against
Persons
3%

Approximately
one-third of
inmates released
in FY 2006-07
were not returned
to the CDCR.

Furthermore Table 25, which depicts a breakdown of the reasons
parole violators returned to prison, shows that returns due to
technical violations were slightly higher than for nontechnical
violations (54 versus 46 percent, respectively). Almost all returns
for technical violations were due to violations of parole process.
Finally, almost 20 percent of FY 2006-07 releases returned to
prison after being convicted of a new crime.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 25. Parole Violators Returned to Custody
Males
Number
Percent

Females
Number
Percent

Total RTCs
Number
Percent

FELON PAROLE VIOLATORS
RETURNED TO CUSTORY (PV-RTC)*
PV-RTC with Principal Charge Information
40,739
Charges Dismissed
1,016
PV-RTC with Charge Information Unavailable 5,571
Total
47,326

86.1%
2.1%
11.8%
100.0%

3,818
40
622
4,480

85.2%
0.9%
13.9%
100.0%

44,557
1,056
6,193
51,806

86.0%
2.0%
12.0%
100.0%

5,002
2,738
2,274
3,420
6,922
20,383
40,739

12.3%
6.7%
5.6%
8.4%
17.0%
50.0%
100.0%

279
180
315
259
585
2,200
3,818

7.3%
4.7%
8.3%
6.8%
15.3%
57.6%
100.0%

5,281
2,918
2,589
3,679
7,507
22,583
44,557

11.9%
6.5%
5.8%
8.3%
16.8%
50.7%
100.0%

18,988
21,751
40,739

46.6%
53.4%
100.0%

1,504
2,314
3,818

39.4%
60.6%
100.0%

20,492
24,065
44,557

46.0%
54.0%
100.0%

PRINCIPAL CHARGE CATEGORY
(Includes Technical and Non-Technical)
Crimes Against Persons
Weapons Offenses
Property Offenses
Drug Offenses
Other Offenses
Violations of Parole Process
Total
TYPE OF RETURN TO CUSTODY
Nontechnical Violations
Technical Violations
Total

51

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Table 25. Parole Violators Returned to Custody (continued)
Males
Number
Percent

Females
Number
Percent

Total RTCs
Number
Percent

NON-TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS
(Returns for Criminal Violations)
TYPE I
Drug Possession
Drug Use
Drug Use/Simple Possession
Miscellaneous Violations of Law
Sub-Total

759
1,784
13
1,547
4,103

1.9%
4.4%
0.0%
3.8%
10.1%

66
122
0
248
436

1.7%
3.2%
0.0%
6.5%
11.4%

825
1,906
13
1,795
4,539

1.9%
4.3%
0.0%
4.0%
10.2%

TYPE II
Assault and Battery
Burglary
Driving Violations
Drug Possession
Drug Sales/Trafficking
Firearms and Weapons
Miscellaneous Non-Violent Crimes
Miscellaneous Violations of Law
Sex Offenses
Theft and Forgery
Sub-Total

650
438
1,264
3
397
285
2,747
140
1,098
1,611
8,633

1.6%
1.1%
3.1%
0.0%
1.0%
0.7%
6.7%
0.3%
2.7%
4.0%
21.2%

66
39
84
0
30
18
179
4
18
257
695

1.7%
1.0%
2.2%
0.0%
0.8%
0.5%
4.7%
0.1%
0.5%
6.7%
18.2%

716
477
1,348
3
427
303
2,926
144
1,116
1,868
9,328

1.6%
1.1%
3.0%
0.0%
1.0%
0.7%
6.6%
0.3%
2.5%
4.2%
20.9%

TYPE III
Assault and Battery (Major)
Burglary - Major
Driving Violations (Major)
Drug Violations (Major)
Homicide
Miscellaneous Crimes (Major)
Rape and Sexual Assaults
Robbery
Weapon Offenses
Sub-Total

2,693
225
453
464
83
764
210
268
1,092
6,252

6.6%
0.6%
1.1%
1.1%
0.2%
1.9%
0.5%
0.7%
2.7%
15.3%

163
19
19
41
2
50
1
29
49
373

4.3%
0.5%
0.5%
1.1%
0.1%
1.3%
0.0%
0.8%
1.3%
9.8%

2,856
244
472
505
85
814
211
297
1,141
6,625

6.4%
0.5%
1.1%
1.1%
0.2%
1.8%
0.5%
0.7%
2.6%
14.9%

18,988

46.6%

1,504

39.4%

20,492

46.0%

20,383
1,361
7
21,751

50.0%
3.3%
0.0%
53.4%

2,200
113
1
2,314

57.6%
3.0%
0.0%
60.6%

22,583
1,474
8
24,065

50.7%
3.3%
0.0%
54.0%

TOTAL
TECHNICAL VIOLATIONS
(Returns for Violations that are not
Criminal)
TYPE I/II - Violations of Parole Process
TYPE II - Weapons Access
TYPE III - Psychiatric Endangerment
TOTAL

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

13 Conclusion
Recidivism rates are key indicators of correctional performance
that are impacted by all aspects of the correctional system. This
report provides a glimpse into many of these factors. It is
intended to provide a baseline from which to measure future
performance and evaluate the impact of CDCR rehabilitative
programs, policies and practices.
Although most inmates released from CDCR in FY 2006-07
recidivate and return to prison, it is important to recognize that
slightly more than one-third of these releases remain in the
community.
This finding provides hope that successful
reintegration of offenders into the community, which is part of
CDCR’s mission, is possible.

53

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Appendix A
One-, Two- and Three-Year Recidivism Rates for
Arrests, Convictions, and Returns to Prison for Felons 1
Released Between FYs 2002-03 and 2008-09 2,3
Presented in the three figures and tables below are recidivism rates for up to
seven years for felons released from CDCR by arrests, convictions and returns to
prison. Shown first are the one-year recidivism rates for all felon releases from
FY 2002-03 through FY 2008-09. This figure provides the longest period of time
where data are available. While one year of follow-up is the shortest time frame
presented, it is a good indicator of recidivism (as indicated previously in this
report) since almost 75 percent of felons who recidivate do so within the first year
of release. To provide as complete a picture as possible, these one-year rates
are followed by two- and three-year recidivism rates. 4
One-Year Recidivism Rates by FY
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%

55.5%
48.0%

57.6%

56.3%

45.9%

46.5%

21.6%

22.6%

58.8%

58.0%

49.1%

47.9%

57.0%
47.5%

57.2%

45.2%

40%
30%
20%

19.7%

22.1%

23.7%

20.7%

20.0%

2007-08

2008-09

10%
0%
2002-03

2003-04

2004-05
Arrests

1

2

3

4

2005-06
Convictions

2006-07
Returns to Prison

Rates for “Arrests” and “Convictions” only include those felons where an automated criminal
history record was available from the Department of Justice. These records are necessary to
measure recidivism by arrest and conviction. Total numbers released for these measures are
therefore smaller than those used to compute “Returns to Prison.”
FYs that do not yet have enough follow-up time to capture recidivism behavior are denoted as
“N/A.”
The data contained in these charts and tables were extracted in June 2011 to minimize the
effects of the time lag in data entry into state systems.
Recidivism rates are “frozen” at three years, meaning that after three years the follow-up period
is considered to be completed and no further analyses are performed. As such, reported rates
may fluctuate slightly for the one- and two-year rates as data used in subsequent reporting
years will likely increase, particularly for “Arrests” and “Convictions” since these data are
routinely updated in accordance with criminal justice system processing.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011
Two-Year Recidivism Rates by FY
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%

69.8%

70.3%

71.3%

71.8%

61.0%

59.8%

61.3%

62.5%

38.0%

38.6%

38.3%

2004-05

2005-06

70.9%

70.1%

60.5%

59.2%

50%
40%

36.3%

40.9%
36.3%

30%
20%
10%
0%
2002-03

2003-04
Arrests

Convictions

2006-07

2007-08

Returns to Prison

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by FY
100%
90%
80%
70%

76.2%

76.4%

66.2%

65.6%

47.7%

48.5%

2002-03

2003-04

77.0%

77.2%

66.8%

67.5%

49.2%

48.7%

76.6%

65.1%

60%
50%

51.5%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Arrests

2004-05
Convictions

2005-06

2006-07

Returns to Prison

Rates for “Arrests” and “Convictions” only include those felons where an automated criminal history
record was available from the Department of Justice. These records are necessary to measure
recidivism by arrest and conviction. Total numbers released for these measures are therefore
smaller than those used to compute “Returns to Prison.”

55

56

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011
Arrests^

One Year
Fiscal Year
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07*
2007-08
2008-09

Number
Released
99,482
99,635
103,647
105,974
112,665
113,765
110,033

Number
Arrested
55,204
56,127
59,703
62,331
65,369
64,838
62,886

Two Years

Recidivism
Rate
55.5%
56.3%
57.6%
58.8%
58.0%
57.0%
57.2%

Number
Arrested
69,449
70,070
73,881
76,079
79,893
79,756
N/A

Recidivism
Rate
69.8%
70.3%
71.3%
71.8%
70.9%
70.1%
N/A

Three Years
Number
Arrested
75,765
76,135
79,819
81,786
86,330
N/A
N/A

Recidivism
Rate
76.2%
76.4%
77.0%
77.2%
76.6%
N/A
N/A

Convictions^

One Year
Fiscal Year
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07*
2007-08
2008-09

Number
Released
99,482
99,635
103,647
105,974
112,665
113,765
110,033

Number
Convicted
19,643
21,509
23,464
23,428
26,657
23,593
21,987

Two Years

Recidivism
Rate
19.7%
21.6%
22.6%
22.1%
23.7%
20.7%
20.0%

Number
Convicted
36,087
37,881
40,022
40,635
46,106
41,312
N/A

Recidivism
Rate
36.3%
38.0%
38.6%
38.3%
40.9%
36.3%
N/A

Three Years
Number
Convicted
47,443
48,350
51,026
51,650
57,980
N/A
N/A

Recidivism
Rate
47.7%
48.5%
49.2%
48.7%
51.5%
N/A
N/A

Returns to Prison

One Year
Fiscal Year
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07*
2007-08
2008-09

Number
Released
103,934
103,296
106,920
108,662
115,254
116,063
112,934

Number
Returned
49,924
47,423
49,761
53,330
55,167
55,075
51,030

Two Years

Recidivism
Rate
48.0%
45.9%
46.5%
49.1%
47.9%
47.5%
45.2%

Number
Returned
63,415
61,788
65,559
67,958
69,691
68,672
N/A

Recidivism
Rate
61.0%
59.8%
61.3%
62.5%
60.5%
59.2%
N/A

Three Years
Number
Returned
68,810
67,734
71,444
73,350
75,018
N/A
N/A

Recidivism
Rate
66.2%
65.6%
66.8%
67.5%
65.1%
N/A
N/A

5 *

^

Rates for “Arrests” and “Convictions” only include those felons where an automated criminal
history record was available from the Department of Justice. These records are necessary to
measure recidivism by arrest and conviction. Total numbers released for these measures are
*
therefore smaller than those used to compute “Returns to Prison”.

*

The “number released” depicted for Fiscal Year 2006-07 differs slightly from that which was
reported in the 2010 Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report due to a minor error that was
identified related to the extraction of the data used to develop the cohort. Although this
correction resulted in a reduction of 828 records, there was a minimal difference in the one-year
return to prison rate (+0.1 percent) and no difference in the two-year rate. Because the “Arrest”
and “Conviction” data are regularly updated, it is difficult to decipher the impact of this correction
to these two measures, if any.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Appendix B
Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Characteristics
Felons Released During FY 2006-07
Offender Characteristics

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

N

One Year
Rate

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
WITHIN
Two Years
N
Rate

Three Years
N
Rate

Sex
Male
Female
Total

103,216
12,038
115,254

50,551
4,616
55,167

49.0%
38.3%
47.9%

63,625
6,067
69,692

61.6%
50.4%
60.5%

68,383
6,636
75,019

66.3%
55.1%
65.1%

Age at Release
18-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60 and over
Total

736
16,058
22,832
17,870
18,127
16,839
12,582
6,347
2,536
1,327
115,254

400
8,644
11,403
8,193
8,619
7,917
5,809
2,701
1,024
457
55,167

54.3%
53.8%
49.9%
45.8%
47.5%
47.0%
46.2%
42.6%
40.4%
34.4%
47.9%

515
10,754
14,355
10,466
10,951
10,028
7,332
3,441
1,275
575
69,692

70.0%
67.0%
62.9%
58.6%
60.4%
59.6%
58.3%
54.2%
50.3%
43.3%
60.5%

557
11,510
15,469
11,303
11,791
10,785
7,906
3,707
1,376
615
75,019

75.7%
71.7%
67.8%
63.3%
65.0%
64.0%
62.8%
58.4%
54.3%
46.3%
65.1%

Race/Ethnicity
White
Hispanic/Latino
Black/African-American
Asian
Native American/Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
Others
Total

36,989
43,226
29,995
724
1,094
145
3,081
115,254

18,696
18,640
15,617
318
618
64
1,214
55,167

50.5%
43.1%
52.1%
43.9%
56.5%
44.1%
39.4%
47.9%

23,228
23,787
19,884
396
741
85
1,571
69,692

62.8%
55.0%
66.3%
54.7%
67.7%
58.6%
51.0%
60.5%

24,820
25,737
21,429
425
792
86
1,730
75,019

67.1%
59.5%
71.4%
58.7%
72.4%
59.3%
56.2%
65.1%

Commitment Offense
Crime Against Persons
Property Crime
Drug Crime
Other Crime
Total

26,320
38,827
36,723
13,384
115,254

11,898
20,132
17,088
6,049
55,167

45.2%
51.9%
46.5%
45.2%
47.9%

15,295
25,050
21,598
7,749
69,692

58.1%
64.5%
58.8%
57.9%
60.5%

16,507
26,830
23,253
8,429
75,019

62.7%
69.1%
63.3%
63.0%
65.1%

Sentence Type
Determinate Sentence Law
Indeterminate Sentence Law
Total

115,168
86
115,254

55,163
4
55,167

47.9%
4.7%
47.9%

69,683
9
69,692

60.5%
10.5%
60.5%

75,008
11
75,019

65.1%
12.8%
65.1%

Sex Offender
Yes
No
Total

7,829
107,425
115,254

4,018
51,149
55,167

51.3%
47.6%
47.9%

4,891
64,801
69,692

62.5%
60.3%
60.5%

5,238
69,781
75,019

66.9%
65.0%
65.1%

Serious/Violent Offender
Yes
No
Total

23,483
91,771
115,254

10,052
45,115
55,167

42.8%
49.2%
47.9%

13,144
56,548
69,692

56.0%
61.6%
60.5%

14,310
60,709
75,019

60.9%
66.2%
65.1%

5,433

3,223

59.3%

3,860

71.0%

4,080

75.1%

11,131
16
98,673
1
115,254

5,927
8
46,008
1
55,167

53.2%
N/A
46.6%
N/A
47.9%

7,378
11
58,442
1
69,692

66.3%
N/A
59.2%
N/A
60.5%

7,829
11
63,098
1
75,019

70.3%
N/A
63.9%
N/A
65.1%

Mental Health
Enhanced Outpatient Program
Correctional Clinical Case
Management System
Crisis Bed
No Mental Health Code
Department Mental Health
Total

57

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2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Characteristics
Felons Released During FY 2006-07 (continued)

Offender Characteristics
Risk Score Level
N/A
Low
Medium
High
Total

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED
2,640
18,844
32,784
60,986
115,254

N

One Year
Rate

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
WITHIN
Two Years
N
Rate

Three Years
N
Rate

1,104
5,343
13,571
35,149
55,167

41.8%
28.4%
41.4%
57.6%
47.9%

1,386
7,282
17,773
43,251
69,692

52.5%
38.6%
54.2%
70.9%
60.5%

1,504
8,060
19,328
46,127
75,019

57.0%
42.8%
59.0%
75.6%
65.1%

Length of Stay
0 - 6 months
7 - 12 months
13 - 18 months
19 - 24 months
2 - 3 years
3 - 4 years
4 - 5 years
5 - 10 years
10 - 15 years
15 + years
Total

12,427
34,275
20,790
14,233
15,483
6,986
3,684
6,141
1,043
192
115,254

5,004
15,436
10,736
7,498
8,252
3,539
1,623
2,624
406
49
55,167

40.3%
45.0%
51.6%
52.7%
53.3%
50.7%
44.1%
42.7%
38.9%
25.5%
47.9%

6,678
19,848
13,344
9,230
10,133
4,372
2,091
3,395
534
67
69,692

53.7%
57.9%
64.2%
64.8%
65.4%
62.6%
56.8%
55.3%
51.2%
34.9%
60.5%

7,251
21,499
14,279
9,859
10,801
4,679
2,265
3,712
597
77
75,019

58.3%
62.7%
68.7%
69.3%
69.8%
67.0%
61.5%
60.4%
57.2%
40.1%
65.1%

Prior Returns to Custody
None
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
Total

67,029
22,128
11,313
6,505
3,705
2,077
1,205
640
357
170
125
115,254

25,968
12,741
7,070
4,249
2,382
1,303
716
370
212
86
70
55,167

38.7%
57.6%
62.5%
65.3%
64.3%
62.7%
59.4%
57.8%
59.4%
50.6%
56.0%
47.9%

34,617
15,833
8,414
4,927
2,738
1,500
824
420
242
97
80
69,692

51.6%
71.6%
74.4%
75.7%
73.9%
72.2%
68.4%
65.6%
67.8%
57.1%
64.0%
60.5%

38,158
16,711
8,794
5,119
2,881
1,582
877
448
259
104
86
75,019

56.9%
75.5%
77.7%
78.7%
77.8%
76.2%
72.8%
70.0%
72.5%
61.2%
68.8%
65.1%

Number of CDCR Stays Ever
One stay
Two stays
Three stays
Four stays
Five stays
Six stays
Seven stays
Eight stays
Nine stays
10 stays
11 stays
12 stays
13 stays
14 stays
15 + stays
Total

32,983
17,938
12,622
9,508
7,530
6,186
5,082
4,365
3,529
2,945
2,422
2,092
1,681
1,357
5,014
115,254

10,370
8,136
6,404
5,057
3,977
3,349
2,856
2,548
2,112
1,791
1,524
1,359
1,117
891
3,676
55,167

31.4%
45.4%
50.7%
53.2%
52.8%
54.1%
56.2%
58.4%
59.8%
60.8%
62.9%
65.0%
66.4%
65.7%
73.3%
47.9%

14,004
10,682
8,074
6,250
4,992
4,248
3,530
3,146
2,603
2,195
1,826
1,594
1,312
1,050
4,186
69,692

42.5%
59.5%
64.0%
65.7%
66.3%
68.7%
69.5%
72.1%
73.8%
74.5%
75.4%
76.2%
78.0%
77.4%
83.5%
60.5%

15,589
11,504
8,713
6,668
5,332
4,549
3,794
3,323
2,768
2,337
1,928
1,698
1,370
1,110
4,336
75,019

47.3%
64.1%
69.0%
70.1%
70.8%
73.5%
74.7%
76.1%
78.4%
79.4%
79.6%
81.2%
81.5%
81.8%
86.5%
65.1%

6,404
108,850
115,254

3,397
51,770
55,167

53.0%
47.6%
47.9%

4,211
65,481
69,692

65.8%
60.2%
60.5%

4,525
70,494
75,019

70.7%
64.8%
65.1%

SHU Status
SHU
No SHU

Total
DDP Status
DDP
No DDP
Total

1,732
113,522
115,254

1,067
54,100
55,167

61.6%
47.7%
47.9%

1,274
68,418
69,692

73.6%
60.3%
60.5%

1,346
73,673
75,019

77.7%
64.9%
65.1%

In-Prison
Subastance Abuse Program
Completed Program
Did Not Complete Program
Did Not Participate in Program
Total

9,194
5,355
100,705
115,254

4,013
2,363
48,791
55,167

43.6%
44.1%
48.4%
47.9%

5,316
3,115
61,261
69,692

57.8%
58.2%
60.8%
60.5%

5,822
3,420
65,777
75,019

63.3%
63.9%
65.3%
65.1%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Characteristics
Felons Released During FY 2006-07
by Type of Release
First Releases
Offender Characteristics

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS
N

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

Rate

Rate

Re-Releases

Three Years
N

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

Rate

Rate

Three Years
N

Rate

Sex
Male
Female
Total

103,216

68,383

66.3%

23,639

40.0%

31,330

53.0%

34,475

58.3%

26,912

61.1%

32,295

73.3%

33,908

77.0%

12,038

6,636

55.1%

2,329

29.6%

3,287

41.7%

3,683

46.8%

2,287

54.9%

2,780

66.8%

2,953

70.9%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Age at Release
18-19

736

557

75.7%

364

52.8%

475

68.9%

516

74.9%

36

76.6%

40

85.1%

41

87.2%

20-24

16,058

11,510

71.7%

5,271

47.7%

6,734

61.0%

7,322

66.3%

3,373

67.2%

4,020

80.1%

4,188

83.4%

25-29

22,832

15,469

67.8%

5,583

41.6%

7,339

54.6%

8,087

60.2%

5,820

61.9%

7,016

74.6%

7,382

78.5%

30-34

17,870

11,303

63.3%

3,839

36.8%

5,155

49.4%

5,700

54.6%

4,354

58.6%

5,311

71.4%

5,603

75.3%

35-39

18,127

11,791

65.0%

3,628

36.0%

4,981

49.5%

5,531

54.9%

4,991

61.9%

5,970

74.1%

6,260

77.7%

40-44

16,839

10,785

64.0%

3,311

36.3%

4,513

49.5%

4,975

54.5%

4,606

59.7%

5,515

71.5%

5,810

75.3%

45-49

12,582

7,906

62.8%

2,355

35.1%

3,195

47.6%

3,537

52.7%

3,454

58.9%

4,137

70.5%

4,369

74.5%

50-54

6,347

3,707

58.4%

1,031

30.6%

1,429

42.4%

1,597

47.4%

1,670

56.1%

2,012

67.6%

2,110

70.9%

55-59

2,536

1,376

54.3%

394

28.5%

533

38.6%

602

43.6%

630

54.5%

742

64.2%

774

67.0%

60 and over

1,327

615

46.3%

192

24.7%

263

33.9%

291

37.5%

265

48.1%

312

56.6%

324

58.8%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

White

36,989

24,820

67.1%

8,338

41.3%

10,894

54.0%

11,935

59.2%

10,358

61.6%

12,334

73.3%

12,885

76.6%

Hispanic/Latino

43,226

25,737

59.5%

9,577

34.4%

12,870

46.3%

14,228

51.2%

9,063

58.8%

10,917

70.8%

11,509

74.7%

Black/African-American

29,995

21,429

71.4%

6,984

43.7%

9,444

59.1%

10,419

65.2%

8,633

61.6%

10,440

74.5%

11,010

78.6%

724

425

58.7%

146

35.1%

193

46.4%

212

51.0%

172

55.8%

203

65.9%

213

69.2%

1,094

792

72.4%

249

48.1%

307

59.3%

334

64.5%

369

64.1%

434

75.3%

458

79.5%

145

86

59.3%

36

37.5%

50

52.1%

50

52.1%

28

57.1%

35

71.4%

36

73.5%

3,081

1,730

56.2%

638

31.4%

859

42.2%

980

48.2%

576

55.1%

712

68.1%

750

71.7%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Total
Race/Ethnicity

Asian
Native American/Alaska Native
Native Haw aiian/Pacific Islander
Others
Total
Com m itm ent Offense
Crime Against Persons

26,320

16,507

62.7%

4,959

35.0%

6,874

48.5%

7,633

53.8%

6,939

57.2%

8,421

69.4%

8,874

73.1%

Property Crime

38,827

26,830

69.1%

9,845

43.2%

12,857

56.4%

14,081

61.8%

10,287

64.2%

12,193

76.1%

12,749

79.6%

Drug Crime

36,723

23,253

63.3%

8,246

37.3%

10,981

49.6%

12,086

54.6%

8,842

60.6%

10,617

72.7%

11,167

76.5%

Other Crime

13,384

8,429

63.0%

2,918

36.8%

3,905

49.3%

4,358

55.0%

3,131

57.3%

3,844

70.4%

4,071

74.6%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Total
Sentence Type
Determinate Sentence Law
Indeterminate Sentence Law
Total

115168

75008

65.1%

25,967

38.8%

34,614

51.7%

38,153

57.0%

29,196

60.6%

35,069

72.7%

36,855

76.4%

86

11

12.8%

1

1.4%

3

4.2%

5

6.9%

3

21.4%

6

42.9%

6

42.9%

115254

75019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Sex Offender
7,829

5,238

66.9%

1,424

39.5%

1,888

52.4%

2,083

57.8%

2,594

61.4%

3,003

71.1%

3,155

74.7%

No

Yes

107,425

69,781

65.0%

24,544

38.7%

32,729

51.6%

36,075

56.9%

26,605

60.5%

32,072

72.9%

33,706

76.6%

Total

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Serious/Violent Offender
Yes

23,483

14,310

60.9%

4,372

32.8%

6,188

46.5%

6,932

52.1%

5,680

55.8%

6,956

68.4%

7,378

72.5%

No

91,771

60,709

66.2%

21,596

40.2%

28,429

52.9%

31,226

58.1%

23,519

61.8%

28,119

73.9%

29,483

77.5%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

5,433

4,080

75.1%

1,183

50.6%

1,520

65.0%

1,633

69.9%

2,040

65.9%

2,340

75.6%

2,447

79.0%

11,131

7,829

70.3%

2,468

43.6%

3,277

57.9%

3,551

62.7%

3,459

63.2%

4,101

75.0%

4,278

78.2%

16

11

68.8%

3

N/A

4

N/A

4

N/A

5

62.5%

7

87.5%

7

87.5%

98,673

63,098

63.9%

22,314

37.8%

29,816

50.5%

32,970

55.9%

23,694

59.8%

28,626

72.2%

30,128

76.0%

1

1

N/A

0

N/A

0

N/A

0

N/A

1

N/A

1

N/A

1

N/A

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Total
Mental Health
Enhanced Outpatient Program
Correctional Clinical Case
Management System
Crisis Bed
No Mental Health Code
Department Mental Health
Total

59

60

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Characteristics
Felons Released During FY 2006-07
by Type of Release (continued)
First Releases
Offender Characteristics

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS
N

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

Rate

Rate

Re-Releases

Three Years
N

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

Rate

Three Years

Rate

N

Rate

Risk Score Level
N/A

2,640

1,504

57.0%

424

30.2%

581

41.4%

649

46.2%

680

55.0%

805

65.1%

855

69.2%

Low

18,844

8,060

42.8%

2,747

20.8%

4,022

30.4%

4,579

34.6%

2,596

46.2%

3,260

58.0%

3,481

61.9%

Medium

32,784

19,328

59.0%

7,109

33.8%

9,772

46.5%

10,882

51.8%

6,462

54.9%

8,001

68.0%

8,446

71.8%

High

60,986

46,127

75.6%

15,688

50.0%

20,242

64.5%

22,048

70.3%

19,461

65.7%

23,009

77.7%

24,079

81.3%

Total

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Length of Stay
0 - 6 months

12,427

7,251

58.3%

3,768

37.2%

5,111

50.5%

5,606

55.4%

1,236

53.7%

1,567

68.1%

1,645

71.5%

7 - 12 months

34,275

21,499

62.7%

10,727

41.1%

14,006

53.6%

15,340

58.7%

4,709

57.8%

5,842

71.7%

6,159

75.6%

13 - 18 months

20,790

14,279

68.7%

4,694

42.4%

6,096

55.0%

6,680

60.3%

6,042

62.2%

7,248

74.7%

7,599

78.3%

19 - 24 months

14,233

9,859

69.3%

2,446

39.1%

3,248

52.0%

3,607

57.7%

5,052

63.3%

5,982

74.9%

6,252

78.3%

2 - 3 years

15,483

10,801

69.8%

2,133

37.4%

2,917

51.1%

3,245

56.9%

6,119

62.6%

7,216

73.8%

7,556

77.3%

3 - 4 years

6,986

4,679

67.0%

831

32.6%

1,177

46.2%

1,310

51.5%

2,708

61.0%

3,195

72.0%

3,369

75.9%

4 - 5 years

3,684

2,265

61.5%

464

27.8%

686

41.1%

775

46.4%

1,159

57.5%

1,405

69.8%

1,490

74.0%

5 - 10 years

6,141

3,712

60.4%

741

26.2%

1,125

39.8%

1,292

45.7%

1,883

56.8%

2,270

68.5%

2,420

73.0%

10 - 15 years

1,043

597

57.2%

148

25.7%

227

39.5%

270

47.0%

258

55.1%

307

65.6%

327

69.9%

192

77

40.1%

16

13.6%

24

20.3%

33

28.0%

33

44.6%

43

58.1%

44

59.5%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

15 + years
Total
Prior Returns to Custody
None

67,029

38,158

56.9%

25,968

1

22,128

16,711

75.5%

0

2

11,313

8,794

77.7%

0

0

0

7,070

62.5%

8,414

74.4%

8,794

77.7%

3

6,505

5,119

78.7%

0

0

0

4,249

65.3%

4,927

75.7%

5,119

78.7%

4

0

0

0

NA

0

NA

0

NA

12,741

57.6%

15,833

71.6%

16,711

75.5%

3,705

2,881

77.8%

0

0

0

2,382

64.3%

2,738

73.9%

2,881

77.8%

5

2,077

1,582

76.2%

0

0

0

1,303

62.7%

1,500

72.2%

1,582

76.2%

6

1,205

877

72.8%

0

0

0

716

59.4%

824

68.4%

877

72.8%

7

640

448

70.0%

0

0

0

370

57.8%

420

65.6%

448

70.0%

8

357

259

72.5%

0

0

0

212

59.4%

242

67.8%

259

72.5%

9

170

104

61.2%

0

0

0

86

50.6%

97

57.1%

104

61.2%

10+

125

86

68.8%

0

0

0

70

56.0%

80

64.0%

86

68.8%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

Total
Num ber of CDCR Stays Ever
One stay

32,983

15,589

47.3%

10,370

31.4%

14,004

42.5%

15,589

47.3%

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

0

0.0%

Tw o stays

17,938

11,504

64.1%

2,885

36.4%

4,000

50.5%

4,442

56.0%

5,251

52.4%

6,682

66.7%

7,062

70.5%

Three stays

12,622

8,713

69.0%

2,117

41.2%

2,852

55.5%

3,177

61.8%

4,287

57.3%

5,222

69.8%

5,536

74.0%

Four stays

9,508

6,668

70.1%

1,682

42.4%

2,252

56.8%

2,492

62.9%

3,375

60.9%

3,998

72.1%

4,176

75.3%

Five stays

7,530

5,332

70.8%

1,465

44.6%

1,967

59.9%

2,143

65.2%

2,512

59.2%

3,025

71.3%

3,189

75.1%

Six stays

6,186

4,549

73.5%

1,273

46.8%

1,711

62.9%

1,877

69.0%

2,076

59.9%

2,537

73.2%

2,672

77.1%

Seven stays

5,082

3,794

74.7%

1,104

50.4%

1,459

66.6%

1,589

72.6%

1,752

60.6%

2,071

71.6%

2,205

76.2%

Eight stays

4,365

3,323

76.1%

958

51.9%

1,254

67.9%

1,340

72.6%

1,590

63.1%

1,892

75.1%

1,983

78.7%

Nine stays

3,529

2,768

78.4%

755

52.4%

1,000

69.4%

1,091

75.8%

1,357

65.0%

1,603

76.7%

1,677

80.3%

10 stays

2,945

2,337

79.4%

632

54.3%

811

69.7%

887

76.3%

1,159

65.0%

1,384

77.7%

1,450

81.4%

11 stays

2,422

1,928

79.6%

536

56.8%

681

72.1%

730

77.3%

988

66.8%

1,145

77.5%

1,198

81.1%

12 stays

2,092

1,698

81.2%

451

58.0%

553

71.2%

606

78.0%

908

69.0%

1,041

79.2%

1,092

83.0%

13 stays

1,681

1,370

81.5%

355

59.7%

438

73.6%

463

77.8%

762

70.2%

874

80.5%

907

83.5%

14 stays

1,357

1,110

81.8%

287

59.9%

349

72.9%

381

79.5%

604

68.8%

701

79.8%

729

83.0%

5,014

4,336

86.5%

1,098

69.4%

1,286

81.3%

1,351

85.5%

2,578

75.1%

2,900

84.5%

2,985

87.0%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

15 + stays
Total

SHU Status
6404

4525

70.7%

1,310

43.3%

1,729

57.2%

1,899

62.8%

2,087

61.7%

2,482

73.4%

2,626

77.7%

No SHU

SHU

108850

70494

64.8%

24,658

38.5%

32,888

51.4%

36,259

56.7%

27,112

60.5%

32,593

72.7%

34,235

76.3%

Total

115254

75019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

DDP Status
DDP

1,732

1,346

77.7%

426

52.4%

533

65.6%

575

70.7%

641

69.7%

741

80.6%

771

83.9%

NO DDP

113,522

73,673

64.9%

25,542

38.6%

34,084

51.5%

37,583

56.8%

28,558

60.4%

34,334

72.6%

36,090

76.3%

Total

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

In-Prison
Subastance Abuse Program
Completed Program

9,194

Did Not Complete Program

5,822

63.3%

2,678

37.7%

3,695

52.0%

4,138

58.3%

1,335

63.8%

1,621

77.5%

1,684

80.5%

5,355

3,420

63.9%

1,513

37.5%

2,089

51.7%

2,359

58.4%

850

64.5%

1,026

77.9%

1,061

80.6%

Did Not Participate in Program

100,705

65,777

65.3%

21,777

39.0%

28,833

51.6%

31,661

56.7%

27,014

60.3%

32,428

72.4%

34,116

76.1%

Total

115,254

75,019

65.1%

25,968

38.7%

34,617

51.6%

38,158

56.9%

29,199

60.5%

35,075

72.7%

36,861

76.4%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

61

November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Commitment Offense
Felons Released During FY 2006-07
by Type of Release
First Releases
Com m itm ent Offense

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS
N

Murder First
Murder Second
Manslaughter
Vehicular Manslaughter
Robbery
Assault/Deadly Weapon
Attempted Murder First
Attempted Murder Second
Other Assault/Battery
Rape
Lewd Act With Child
Oral Copulation
Sodomy
Sexual Penetration with Object
Other Sex Offenses
Kidnapping
Burglary First
Burglary Second
Grand Theft
Petty Theft With Prior
Receiving Stolen Property
Vehicle Theft
Forgery/Fraud
Other Property Offense
CS Possession
CS Possession for Sale
CS Sales
CS Manufacturing
Other CS Offense
Hashish Possession
Marijuana Possession for Sale
Marijuana Sale
Marijuana Other
Escape/Abscond
Driving Under Influence
Arson
Possession Weapon
Other Offenses
Total

6
41
487
239
5,055
5,736
16
332
9,351
360
1,822
196
49
101
2,294
235
3,466
7,469
3,525
6,457
5,206
7,938
3,641
1,125
19,921
10,142
3,239
914
727
53
1,113
465
149
177
2,668
303
6,217
4,019
115,254

1
3
243
80
3,249
3,553
3
156
6,258
184
847
115
19
51
1,641
104
2,323
5,154
2,240
4,608
3,724
5,901
2,137
743
13,833
5,572
1,949
382
491
32
636
283
75
116
1,220
188
4,311
2,594
75,019

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

N/A
0
7.3%
0
49.9%
65
33.5%
22
64.3%
958
61.9% 1,140
N/A
0
47.0%
39
66.9% 1,935
51.1%
52
46.5%
221
58.7%
34
38.8%
7
50.5%
11
71.5%
448
44.3%
27
67.0%
709
69.0% 1,858
63.5%
808
71.4% 1,547
71.5% 1,483
74.3% 2,465
58.7%
687
66.0%
288
69.4% 4,993
54.9% 2,002
60.2%
652
41.8%
92
67.5%
156
60.4%
13
57.1%
229
60.9%
93
50.3%
16
65.5%
24
45.7%
431
62.0%
44
69.3% 1,650
64.5%
769
65.1% 25,968

Rate

N/A
0.0%
21.5%
N/A
34.0%
35.3%
N/A
18.3%
39.7%
27.2%
21.7%
37.8%
N/A
N/A
45.9%
18.9%
37.7%
42.1%
38.4%
43.2%
47.8%
51.0%
31.2%
42.6%
44.3%
29.6%
31.8%
16.9%
41.8%
N/A
32.0%
32.7%
18.6%
30.8%
22.7%
29.5%
44.5%
36.8%
38.7%

0
1
104
44
1,420
1,585
0
67
2,583
64
319
42
9
20
576
40
958
2,485
1,049
2,066
1,864
3,116
951
368
6,505
2,740
918
122
205
16
310
141
24
36
598
60
2,172
1,039
34,617

Rate

N/A
2.8%
34.3%
23.2%
50.4%
49.1%
N/A
31.5%
53.0%
33.5%
31.3%
46.7%
N/A
N/A
59.0%
28.0%
50.9%
56.3%
49.8%
57.6%
60.1%
64.5%
43.2%
54.4%
57.7%
40.5%
44.8%
22.4%
55.0%
N/A
43.3%
49.6%
27.9%
46.2%
31.5%
40.3%
58.6%
49.8%
51.6%

Re-Releases
Three Years
N

1
1
120
51
1,590
1,758
0
81
2,824
73
368
48
10
22
638
48
1,080
2,733
1,152
2,298
2,036
3,332
1,055
395
7,063
3,094
1,013
141
223
18
356
152
26
39
705
75
2,394
1,145
38,158

Rate

N/A
2.8%
39.6%
26.8%
56.4%
54.4%
N/A
38.0%
58.0%
38.2%
36.1%
53.3%
N/A
N/A
65.4%
33.6%
57.4%
61.9%
54.7%
64.1%
65.6%
69.0%
47.9%
58.4%
62.6%
45.8%
49.4%
25.9%
59.8%
N/A
49.7%
53.5%
30.2%
50.0%
37.1%
50.3%
64.6%
54.8%
56.9%

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

0
0
83
23
1,252
1,370
2
59
2,736
91
372
47
6
19
839
40
991
1,950
864
1,865
1,378
2,136
819
284
5,427
1,888
754
183
222
12
216
102
38
61
386
96
1,457
1,131
29,199

Rate

N/A
N/A
45.1%
46.9%
55.9%
54.6%
N/A
49.6%
61.1%
53.8%
46.3%
44.3%
N/A
42.2%
63.7%
43.5%
62.6%
63.9%
60.9%
64.9%
65.5%
68.7%
57.0%
63.3%
62.8%
55.9%
63.4%
49.6%
62.7%
N/A
54.4%
56.4%
60.3%
61.6%
50.3%
62.3%
58.1%
58.6%
60.5%

0
2
117
29
1,561
1,691
3
75
3,280
108
438
63
9
26
968
51
1,182
2,322
1,039
2,204
1,618
2,476
1,019
333
6,461
2,326
898
229
256
12
265
125
45
70
484
106
1,807
1,377
35,075

Rate

N/A
N/A
63.6%
59.2%
69.7%
67.5%
N/A
63.0%
73.2%
63.9%
54.5%
59.4%
N/A
57.8%
73.4%
55.4%
74.7%
76.1%
73.2%
76.7%
76.9%
79.6%
70.9%
74.2%
74.8%
68.8%
75.5%
62.1%
72.3%
N/A
66.8%
69.1%
71.4%
70.7%
63.1%
68.8%
72.0%
71.3%
72.7%

Three Years
N

0
2
123
29
1,659
1,795
3
75
3,434
111
479
67
9
29
1,003
56
1,243
2,421
1,088
2,310
1,688
2,569
1,082
348
6,770
2,478
936
241
268
14
280
131
49
77
515
113
1,917
1,449
36,861

Rate

N/A
N/A
66.8%
59.2%
74.1%
71.6%
N/A
63.0%
76.7%
65.7%
59.6%
63.2%
N/A
64.4%
76.1%
60.9%
78.5%
79.3%
76.7%
80.4%
80.3%
82.6%
75.2%
77.5%
78.3%
73.3%
78.7%
65.3%
75.7%
N/A
70.5%
72.4%
77.8%
77.8%
67.1%
73.4%
76.4%
75.0%
76.4%

62

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Parole County6
Felons Released During FY 2006-07
by Type of Release
First Releases
TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

County of Parole

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS
N

Alameda
Amador
Alpine
Butte
Calaveras
Colusa
Contra Costa
Del Norte
El Dorado
Fresno
Glenn
Humboldt
Imperial
Inyo
Kern
King
Lake
Lassen
Los Angeles
Madera
Marin
Mariposa
Mendocino
Merced
Modoc
Mono
Monterey
Napa
Nevada
Orange
Placer
Plumas
Riverside
Sacramento
San Benito
San Bernardino
San Diego
San Francisco
San Joaquin
San Luis Obispo
San Mateo
Santa Barbara
Santa Clara
Santa Cruz

5,291
44
9
939
57
45
1,525
78
250
4,531
112
601
371
45
4,047
808
289
93
30,454
624
51
38
291
885
31
27
1,094
156
98
8,728
565
44
7,130
5,684
75
9,746
7,448
1,614
2,682
837
1,105
886
3,646
381

6

3,330
25
5
612
30
33
1,116
54
168
3,456
77
446
280
23
2,845
581
187
56
17,369
460
35
26
190
636
22
14
767
95
56
5,020
384
26
4,944
3,458
49
7,014
5,326
1,224
2,082
459
747
639
2,479
268

Rate

62.9%
56.8%
N/A
65.2%
52.6%
73.3%
73.2%
69.2%
67.2%
76.3%
68.8%
74.2%
75.5%
51.1%
70.3%
71.9%
64.7%
60.2%
57.0%
73.7%
68.6%
68.4%
65.3%
71.9%
71.0%
N/A
70.1%
60.9%
57.1%
57.5%
68.0%
59.1%
69.3%
60.8%
65.3%
72.0%
71.5%
75.8%
77.6%
54.8%
67.6%
72.1%
68.0%
70.3%

One Year
N

964
11
1
181
15
9
282
24
55
1,118
31
131
84
12
952
169
68
25
6,403
127
10
7
52
215
11
3
216
33
12
2,009
119
9
1,922
1,147
22
2,739
1,876
291
691
132
259
255
705
81

Rate

35.4%
35.5%
N/A
36.6%
40.5%
N/A
46.1%
54.5%
44.7%
54.5%
50.8%
48.9%
54.5%
30.8%
41.9%
42.8%
42.5%
46.3%
29.4%
48.5%
N/A
N/A
40.6%
49.4%
N/A
N/A
41.1%
36.3%
31.6%
33.7%
41.8%
30.0%
45.8%
34.5%
40.7%
49.0%
46.2%
52.5%
55.8%
28.6%
43.0%
50.1%
38.8%
45.3%

Tw o Years
N

1,208
13
2
238
17
12
354
26
70
1,357
33
167
107
19
1,343
221
79
29
9,655
152
12
11
62
265
11
3
300
38
15
2,640
144
14
2,429
1,470
34
3,373
2,433
350
835
193
330
318
1,021
103

Rate

Re-Releases
Three Years
N

Rate

44.3% 1,298 47.6%
41.9%
14 45.2%
N/A
2
N/A
48.2%
273 55.3%
45.9%
20 54.1%
N/A
16
N/A
57.8%
382 62.4%
59.1%
26 59.1%
56.9%
77 62.6%
66.1% 1,449 70.6%
54.1%
35 57.4%
62.3%
174 64.9%
69.5%
113 73.4%
48.7%
19 48.7%
59.2% 1,457 64.2%
55.9%
241 61.0%
49.4%
90 56.3%
53.7%
30 55.6%
44.3% 11,119 51.0%
58.0%
161 61.5%
N/A
13
N/A
N/A
12
N/A
48.4%
71 55.5%
60.9%
281 64.6%
N/A
11
N/A
N/A
3
N/A
57.1%
324 61.7%
41.8%
42 46.2%
39.5%
16 42.1%
44.3% 2,866 48.1%
50.5%
157 55.1%
46.7%
15 50.0%
57.9% 2,649 63.1%
44.2% 1,591 47.8%
63.0%
36 66.7%
60.4% 3,634 65.1%
59.9% 2,658 65.4%
63.2%
374 67.5%
67.4%
882 71.2%
41.8%
221 47.8%
54.8%
356 59.1%
62.5%
340 66.8%
56.2% 1,138 62.7%
57.5%
110 61.5%

One Year
N

1,647
10
2
268
8
12
607
22
82
1,701
37
220
135
4
1,090
292
83
23
4,409
249
19
12
101
306
8
8
349
45
35
1,713
182
10
1,833
1,528
11
2,779
2,178
721
1,030
173
314
246
1,026
124

Rate

64.2%
N/A
N/A
60.2%
N/A
N/A
66.5%
64.7%
64.6%
68.6%
72.5%
66.1%
62.2%
N/A
61.3%
70.7%
64.3%
59.0%
50.8%
68.8%
N/A
N/A
62.0%
68.0%
N/A
N/A
61.3%
69.2%
58.3%
61.8%
65.0%
N/A
62.5%
64.9%
N/A
66.8%
64.3%
68.0%
71.3%
46.1%
62.4%
65.3%
56.1%
61.4%

Tw o Years
N

1,955
11
2
324
10
16
701
26
90
1,934
42
257
159
4
1,327
330
93
25
5,793
287
21
14
116
342
11
11
413
52
38
2,059
219
11
2,189
1,784
13
3,244
2,567
825
1,161
220
368
292
1,266
153

Direct discharges are not included since these individuals do not have a parole county.

Rate

76.2%
N/A
N/A
72.8%
N/A
N/A
76.8%
76.5%
70.9%
78.0%
82.4%
77.2%
73.3%
N/A
74.7%
79.9%
72.1%
64.1%
66.8%
79.3%
N/A
N/A
71.2%
76.0%
N/A
N/A
72.6%
80.0%
63.3%
74.2%
78.2%
N/A
74.7%
75.8%
N/A
78.0%
75.8%
77.8%
80.4%
58.7%
73.2%
77.5%
69.2%
75.7%

Three Years
N

2,032
11
3
339
10
17
734
28
91
2,007
42
272
167
4
1,388
340
97
26
6,250
299
22
14
119
355
11
11
443
53
40
2,154
227
11
2,295
1,867
13
3,380
2,668
850
1,200
238
391
299
1,341
158

Rate

79.3%
N/A
N/A
76.2%
N/A
N/A
80.4%
82.4%
71.7%
81.0%
82.4%
81.7%
77.0%
N/A
78.1%
82.3%
75.2%
66.7%
72.1%
82.6%
N/A
N/A
73.0%
78.9%
N/A
N/A
77.9%
81.5%
66.7%
77.6%
81.1%
N/A
78.3%
79.3%
N/A
81.2%
78.8%
80.2%
83.1%
63.5%
77.7%
79.3%
73.3%
78.2%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

63

November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates by Offender Parole County67
Felons Released During FY 2006-07
by Type of Release (continued)
First Releases
TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

County of Parole

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS
N

Shasta
Sierra
Siskiyou
Solano
Sonoma
Stanislaus
Sutter
Tehama
Trinity
Tulare
Tuolumne
Ventura
Yolo
Yuba
Total

1,096
7
133
1,540
778
1,702
419
360
39
1,491
74
1,608
677
416
113,795

6

751
5
90
1,129
511
1,263
290
230
23
1,088
35
1,172
501
305
74,506

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

68.5%
232
N/A
4
67.7%
24
73.3%
353
65.7%
158
74.2%
435
69.2%
111
63.9%
83
59.0%
10
73.0%
367
47.3%
18
72.9%
411
74.0%
169
73.3%
110
65.5% 25,963

Rate

42.1%
297
N/A
4
39.3%
31
50.8%
430
40.0%
191
49.9%
537
48.9%
135
39.9%
104
N/A
11
46.7%
474
32.1%
24
49.1%
528
50.6%
209
51.6%
130
38.7% 34,611

Rate

Re-Releases
Three Years
N

53.9%
318
N/A
4
50.8%
33
61.9%
462
48.4%
215
61.6%
578
59.5%
148
50.0%
112
N/A
12
60.3%
523
42.9%
25
63.1%
560
62.6%
222
61.0%
142
51.7% 38,150

Rate

One Year

Tw o Years

N

N

57.7%
348
N/A
1
54.1%
43
66.5%
565
54.4%
231
66.3%
576
65.2%
114
53.8%
96
N/A
10
66.5%
476
44.6%
8
66.9%
508
66.5%
239
66.7%
142
56.9% 29,009

Rate

63.9%
421
N/A
1
59.7%
56
66.9%
651
60.3%
281
69.4%
661
59.4%
137
63.2%
117
N/A
11
67.5%
547
N/A
10
65.9%
587
69.7%
271
70.0%
159
62.0% 34,685

Direct discharges are not included since these individuals do not have a parole county.

Rate

Three Years
N

77.2%
433
N/A
1
77.8%
57
77.0%
667
73.4%
296
79.6%
685
71.4%
142
77.0%
118
N/A
11
77.6%
565
N/A
10
76.1%
612
79.0%
279
78.3%
163
74.1% 36,356

Rate

79.4%
N/A
79.2%
78.9%
77.3%
82.5%
74.0%
77.6%
N/A
80.1%
N/A
79.4%
81.3%
80.3%
77.7%

64

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Current Term Commitment Offense by New Term Commitment Offense for
Felon Sex Registrants and All Other Felon Offenders
Released During FY 2006-07

Commitment Offense
Sex Registrants
Crime Against Persons
Property Crimes
Drug Crimes
Other Crimes
Total

Commitment Offense
All Other Offenders
Crime Against Persons
Property Crimes
Drug Crimes
Other Crimes
Total

Returned with a New Conviction
Total
Total
Released Recidivated Crime Against Persons Property Crime
Drug Crime
N
%
N
%
N
%
5,151
1,025
1,083
570
7,829

3,088
835
860
455
5,238

251
66
68
34
419

8.1
7.9
7.9
7.5
8.0

61
39
20
6
126

2.0
4.7
2.3
1.3
2.4

68
32
70
19
189

2.2
3.8
8.1
4.2
3.6

Returned with a New Conviction
Total
Total
Released Recidivated Crime Against Persons Property Crime
Drug Crime
N
%
N
%
N
%
21,169
37,802
35,640
12,814
107,425

13,419
25,995
22,393
7,974
69,781

946
1,112
824
508
3,390

7.0
4.3
3.7
6.4
4.9

891
5,254
1,784
576
8,505

6.6
20.2
8.0
7.2
12.2

960
2,010
4,166
627
7,763

7.2
7.7
18.6
7.9
11.1

Other Crime
N
%
53
11
8
13
85

1.7
1.3
0.9
2.9
1.6

Other Crime
N
%
607
711
657
761
2,736

4.5
2.7
2.9
9.5
3.9

Parole Violation
Returned to
Custody
N
%
2,655
687
694
383
4,419

86.0
82.3
80.7
84.2
84.4

Parole Violation
Returned to
Custody
N
%
10,015
16,908
14,962
5,502
47,387

74.6
65.0
66.8
69.0
67.9

Current Term Commitment Offense by New Term Commitment Offense for
Felon Serious/Violent Offenders and All Other Felon Offenders
Released During FY 2006-07

Parole Offense
Serious/Violent Offenders
Crime Against Persons
Property Crimes
Drug Crimes
Other Crimes
Total

Parole Offense
All Other Offenders
Crime Against Persons
Property Crimes
Drug Crimes
Other Crimes
Total

Returned with a New Conviction
Total
Total
Paroled Recidivated Crime Against Persons Property Crime
Drug Crime
N
%
N
%
N
%
15,436
4,289
1,013
2,745
23,483

9,056
2,892
582
1,780
14,310

631
149
29
121
930

7.0
5.2
5.0
6.8
6.5

551
411
55
114
1,131

6.1
14.2
9.5
6.4
7.9

605
224
95
125
1,049

6.7
7.7
16.3
7.0
7.3

Returned with a New Conviction
Total
Total
Paroled Recidivated Crime Against Persons Property Crime
Drug Crime
N
%
N
%
N
%
10,884
34,538
35,710
10,639
91,771

7,451
23,938
22,671
6,649
60,709

566
1,029
863
421
2,879

7.6
4.3
3.8
6.3
4.7

401
4,882
1,749
468
7,500

5.4
20.4
7.7
7.0
12.4

423
1,818
4,141
521
6,903

5.7
7.6
18.3
7.8
11.4

Other Crime
N
%
405
88
31
103
627

4.5
3.0
5.3
5.8
4.4

Other Crime
N
%
255
3.4
634
2.6
634
2.8
671 10.1
2,194
3.6

Parole Violation
Returned to
Custody
N
%
6,864
2,020
372
1,317
10,573

75.8
69.8
63.9
74.0
73.9

Parole Violation
Returned to
Custody
N
%
5,806
15,575
15,284
4,568
41,233

77.9
65.1
67.4
68.7
67.9

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Flagged Sex Registrants Released During FY 2006-07 for
Either a Sex Offense or a Nonsex Offense
Who Returned to Prison
by Type of Release

First Release Returns
Number
Percent

Re-Release Returns
Number
Percent

Total Returns
Number
Percent

Released for a sex offense
Returned with a new sex conviction
Returned with a new nonsex conviction
Returned for a parole violation
Total

45
48
882
975

4.6%
4.9%
90.5%
100.0%

98
104
1,194
1,396

7.0%
7.4%
85.5%
100.0%

143
152
2,076
2,371

6.0%
6.4%
87.6%
100.0%

Released for a nonsex offense
Returned with a new sex conviction
Returned with a new nonsex conviction
Returned for a parole violation
Total

50
145
913
1,108

4.5%
13.1%
82.4%
100.0%

118
211
1,430
1,759

6.7%
12.0%
81.3%
100.0%

168
356
2,343
2,867

5.9%
12.4%
81.7%
100.0%

65

66

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Appendix C
Post Release Criminal Activity of Convicted Murderers
Who Have Paroled Since 1995
Data as of March 31, 2011
Recidivism behavior of murderers who returned to CDCR either as a new
admission or with a new term over a 15-year time period. Although this 15-year
murderer recidivism report is not directly related, or necessarily comparable, to
the data presented in this 2011 Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report, it is
included for informational purposes.

New Crimes, If Any

Number of
Paroled
Inmates

Burglary, 2nd Degree

1

Served 6 Months*
(9/10 - Present)

Petty Theft with a Prior

1

Served 11 Months
(3/09 - 1/10)

Percent

Served 10 Months
(7/05 - 5/06)
Served 4 Months
(5/09 - 9/09)
Served 11 Months*
(4/10 - Present)

1
Possession of a Weapon
1
Robbery

1

Sub Total for New
Crimes

5

1%

No New Crimes

855

99%

Total

860

100%

*Offenders still serving time for offense.

Sentence For New Crime

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Appendix D
Mission and Institution Recidivism Rates by Gender
Released During FY 2006-07
Demographics
Median
Age
Mission

Institution

High
Risk
CSRA

Recidivism Rates

Median
LOS
(Months)

First Releases

Re-Releases

Total

Number

Number

Recidivism

Number

Number

Recidivism

Number

Number

Recidivism

Released

Returned

Rate

Released

Returned

Rate

Released

Returned

Rate

Male
Camps

CCC

35

52.9%

18.1

1,226

686

56.0%

0

0

N/A

1,226

686

56.0%

CMC

39

45.8%

22.1

48

27

56.3%

0

0

N/A

48

27

56.3%

SCC

36
35

50.7%

16.4

685
1,398

1
1

0
0

N/A
N/A

1,306
2,580

685
1,398

52.5%

17.3

1,305
2,579

52.5%

51.6%

Sub-Total
LEVEL I

CAL

36

61.4%

3.7

311

193

62.1%

529

412

77.9%

840

605

72.0%

34

54.6%

7.9

1,287

826

64.2%

458

352

76.9%

1,745

1,178

67.5%

CEN

33

56.9%

5.5

319

190

59.6%

263

202

76.8%

582

392

67.4%

CIM

39

52.3%

4.6

2,625

1,480

56.4%

1,301

985

75.7%

3,926

2,465

62.8%

CMC

34

48.7%

12.9

187

101

54.0%

8

6

N/A

195

107

54.9%

CMF

37

56.9%

5.7

137

86

62.8%

44

36

81.8%

181

122

67.4%

COR

36

55.1%

6.1

689

420

61.0%

229

179

78.2%

918

599

65.3%

SAC

35

54.5%

4.8

524

332

63.4%

186

142

76.3%

710

474

66.8%

CTF

39

43.1%

4.7

957

457

47.8%

198

161

81.3%

1,155

618

53.5%

CVSP

34

55.5%

5.8

319

163

51.1%

214

164

76.6%

533

327

61.4%

DVI

45

25.0%

70.9

4

2

FSP

36

52.6%

7.6

329

204

Sub-Total

N/A

0

0

N/A

62.0%

70

57

81.4%
78.5%

561

348

62.0%

N/A

260

148

56.9%

HDSP

36

51.2%

6.2

375

202

53.9%

186

146

MCSP

39

56.5%

11.9

257

146

56.8%

3

2

4

2

399

261

N/A
65.4%

ISP

35

57.9%

4.1

259

143

55.2%

394

317

80.5%

653

460

70.4%

KVSP

35

57.6%

5.6

418

264

63.2%

167

115

68.9%

585

379

64.8%

LAC

35

52.0%

5.1

366

206

56.3%

84

72

85.7%

450

278

61.8%

NKSP

38

48.8%

8.2

344

196

57.0%

17

15

N/A

361

211

58.4%

PBSP

36

55.1%

7.2

277

178

64.3%

66

50

75.8%

343

228

66.5%

PVSP

37

57.1%

5.1

391

236

60.4%

190

150

78.9%

581

386

66.4%

62.3%

159

118

74.2%

477

316

66.2%

N/A

65

50

77%

65

50

76.9%

RJD

37

53.5%

6.3

318

198

SBURN

37

63.1%

5.6

0

0

SCC

33

54.7%

7.6

1,327

815

61.4%

366

300

82.0%

1,693

1,115

65.9%

SVSP

36

54.6%

5.1

334

205

61.4%

155

124

80.0%

489

329

67.3%

WSP

36
36

53.6%

3.9

172
7,415

140
4,295

491
18,197

312
11,710

63.5%

58.6%

182
5,534

76.9%

5.5

309
12,663

55.7%

53.8%

ASP

35

47.9%

6.2

3,275

1,911

58.4%

1,443

1,094

75.8%

4,718

3,005

63.7%

CCI

38

42.5%

5.3

2,092

1,171

56.0%

275

203

73.8%

2,367

1,374

58.0%

77.6%

64.4%

CMC

36

47.8%

6.3

2,063

1,152

55.8%

639

471

73.7%

2,702

1,623

60.1%

CMF

36

48.4%

6.8

169

85

50.3%

83

64

77.1%

252

149

59.1%

CRC

35

49.3%

5.4

1,543

849

55.0%

1,081

802

74.2%

2,624

1,651

62.9%

SAC

36

52.0%

6.5

1,438

890

61.9%

597

480

80.4%

2,035

1,370

67.3%

CTF

37

48.7%

5.6

413

235

56.9%

129

98

76.0%

542

333

61.4%

CVSP

34

52.0%

5.1

1,207

722

59.8%

805

601

74.7%

2,012

1,323

65.8%

DVI

36

59.7%

4.7

566

332

58.7%

511

402

78.7%

1,077

734

68.2%

FSP

34

61.1%

3.3

709

454

64.0%

631

510

80.8%

1,340

964

71.9%

HDSP

31

57.1%

5.1

84

56

66.7%

42

33

78.6%

126

89

70.6%

SATF

35

52.3%

7.6

2,507

1,571

62.7%

897

683

76.1%

3,404

2,254

66.2%

SQ

37
36

60.3%

3.2

552
9,980

1,283
8,416

998
6,439

77.8%
76.5%

2,168
25,367

1,550
16,419

71.5%

5.6

885
16,951

62.4%

51.1%

Sub-Total
LEVEL III

54.2%

CCC

Sub-Total
LEVEL II

54.2%

58.9%

64.7%

CEN

28

52.7%

3.4

1,852

878

47.4%

448

345

77.0%

2,300

1,223

53.2%

CMF

39

56.0%

5.9

624

393

63.0%

329

239

72.6%

953

632

66.3%

COR

31

52.3%

7.3

213

123

57.7%

72

59

81.9%

285

182

63.9%

CTF

27

63.9%

5.5

823

577

70.1%

281

229

81.5%

1,104

806

73.0%

FSP

27

67.7%

6.9

455

342

75.2%

180

155

86.1%

635

497

78.3%

MCSP

34

50.3%

7.7

398

279

70.1%

169

134

79.3%

567

413

72.8%

ISP

27

65.5%

6.1

920

635

69.0%

452

364

80.5%

1,372

999

72.8%

NKSP

31

55.1%

5.3

286

167

58.4%

35

30

85.7%

321

197

61.4%

PVSP

29

59.8%

6.2

1,127

757

67.2%

404

335

82.9%

1,531

1,092

71.3%

RJD

33

55.5%

3.8

698

417

59.7%

326

266

81.6%

1,024

683

66.7%

WSP

29
29

55.7%

3.0

152
4,720

94
2,790

75
2,231

79.8%

352
10,444

227
6,951

64.5%

5.1

258
7,654

58.9%

58.1%

61.7%

80.0%

66.6%

67

68

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Mission and Institution Recidivism Rates by Gender
Released During FY 2006-07 (Continued)
Demographics
Median
Age
Mission

Institution

LEVEL IV

CAL

High
Risk
CSRA

Recidivism Rates

Median
LOS
(Months)

First Releases

Re-Releases

Total

Number

Number

Recidivism

Number

Number

Recidivism

Number

Number

Released

Returned

Rate

Released

Returned

Rate

Released

Returned

582

21.8%

339

71.4%

3,012

32

32.7%

1.8

2,673

CEN

26

100.0%

22.7

1

1

COR

30

65.1%

6.8

716

500

N/A
69.8%

242

0

0

216

164

N/A
75.9%

824

1

1

932

664

Recidivism
Rate
27.4%
N/A
71.2%

SAC

34

60.1%

4.0

358

233

65.1%

193

153

79.3%

551

386

70.1%

HDSP

30

64.0%

6.5

354

301

85.0%

176

155

88.1%

530

456

86.0%

MCSP

36

63.3%

7.4

53

43

81.1%

26

22

N/A

79

65

82.3%

KVSP

29

62.7%

6.6

468

338

72.2%

140

119

85.0%

608

457

75.2%

LAC

34

54.9%

5.5

591

390

66.0%

196

159

81.1%

787

549

69.8%

PBSP

34

61.3%

6.4

210

149

71.0%

116

95

81.9%

326

244

74.8%

RJD

38

60.0%

3.7

8

8

N/A

2

1

N/A

10

9

SATF

29

69.1%

7.3

148

114

77.0%

56

47

83.9%

204

161

78.9%

SVSP

31
31

63.1%

7.5

452
3,111

224
1,684

188
1,345

83.9%

873
7,913

640
4,456

73.3%

3.5

649
6,229

69.6%

50.9%

Sub-Total

49.9%

79.9%

N/A

56.3%

Reception Center CCI

30

56.1%

2.9

565

363

64.2%

200

161

80.5%

765

524

68.5%

CIM

36

62.1%

2.9

452

285

63.1%

5,853

4,449

76.0%

6,305

4,734

75.1%

DVI

36

66.5%

2.6

424

287

67.7%

3,075

2,470

80.3%

3,499

2,757

78.8%

HDSP

35

52.4%

2.9

20

14

N/A

310

232

74.8%

330

246

74.5%

LAC

34

55.6%

2.2

274

140

51.1%

822

569

69.2%

1,096

709

64.7%

NKSP

35

53.2%

2.8

932

548

58.8%

778

604

77.6%

1,710

1,152

67.4%

PITCH

37

51.7%

3.8

0

0

N/A

2,474

1,833

74.1%

2,474

1,833

74.1%

RIOCC

37

56.5%

7.8

0

0

N/A

363

272

74.9%

363

272

74.9%

RJD

37

56.5%

2.9

269

180

66.9%

1,920

1,442

75.1%

2,189

1,622

74.1%

SQ

36

66.4%

2.5

562

412

73.3%

3,810

2,958

77.6%

4,372

3,370

77.1%

SRITA

36

59.4%

5.1

0

0

N/A

1,124

834

74.2%

1,124

834

74.2%

WSP

34
36

57.6%

3.0

953
3,182

2,397
18,221

76.4%

4,667
28,894

3,350
21,403

71.8%

63.0%

3,111
23,840

77.0%

2.9

1,556
5,054

61.2%

60.0%

CCF

31

58.1%

4.9

6,422

3,789

59.0%

1,787

1,370

76.7%

8,209

5,159

62.8%

LPU

39

0.0%

3.0

2

1

50.0%

0

0

N/A

2

1

N/A

RENT1

33

51.9%

3.4

293

158

N/A

4

3

N/A

297

161

N/A

Sub-Total
Other Facilities

74.1%

RENT3

35

46.3%

3.6

414

198

47.8%

1

1

N/A

415

199

48.0%

RENT4

33
31

56.3%

3.5

1
1,793

0
1,374

N/A

293
9,216

171
5,691

58.4%

4.4

171
4,317

58.6%

57.3%

292
7,423

37

28.7%

13.2

258

86

33.3%

0

0

N/A

258

86

33.3%

37

28.7%

13.2

258

86

33.3%

0

0

N/A

258

86

33.3%
51.8%

Sub-Total

58.2%

76.6%

61.8%

Female
Camp

CIW

Sub-Total
Institutions

CCWF

38

28.1%

5.3

2,126

993

46.7%

483

358

74.1%

2,609

1,351

CIW

37

34.0%

3.5

1,183

565

47.8%

1,460

1,058

72.5%

2,643

1,623

61.4%

VSPW

36

35.7%

4.1

2,028

1,046

51.6%

1,110

783

70.5%

3,138

1,829

58.3%

37

32.8%

4.3

5,337

2,604

48.8%

3,053

2,199

72.0%

8,390

4,803

57.2%

57.9%

139

87

62.6%

317

190

59.9%

N/A

377

266

70.6%

393

275

70.0%
55.2%

Sub-Total
Reception Center CCWF
CIW

1.9

178

103

3.5

16

9

CRCW

33

26.9%

5.8

379

198

52.2%

52

40

76.9%

431

238

38

46.4%

6.8

0

0

N/A

28

18

N/A

28

18

N/A

SRITA

34

33.3%

3.6

0

0

N/A

6

5

N/A

6

5

N/A

36

46.1%

2.4

118

76

64.4%

461

313

67.9%

579

389

67.2%

35

34.1%

3.1

691

386

55.9%

1,063

729

68.6%

1,754

1,115

63.6%

VSPW

CCF

34

34.8%

4.8

320

141

44.1%

22

11

N/A

342

152

44.4%

LPUFP

28

41.3%

12.2

63

14

22.2%

0

0

N/A

63

14

22.2%

LPUPM

28

51.2%

6.7

83

30

36.1%

1

0

N/A

84

30

35.7%

RENT1

37

31.0%

3.0

249

92

36.9%

12

5

N/A

261

97

37.2%

RENT2

40

50.0%

1.8

9

2

N/A

1

1

N/A

10

3

RENT3

36

28.5%

3.3

329

106

32.2%

4

2

N/A

333

108

32.4%

35

34.0%

2.9

400

160

40.0%

6

5

N/A

406

165

40.6%

35

33.8%

3.4

1,453

545

37.5%

46

24

52.2%

1,499

569

38.0%

RENT4
Sub-Total

23.0%
32.3%

RIOCC

Sub-Total
Other Facilities

36
36

N/A

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Mission and Institution Recidivism Rates by Gender
Released During FY 2006-07 (Continued)
Recidivism Rates

Demographics
Median
Age
Mission

Institution

High
Risk
CSRA

Median
LOS
(Months)

First Releases

Total

Re-Releases

Number

Number

Recidivism

Number

Number

Recidivism

Number

Number

Recidivism

Released

Returned

Rate

Released

Returned

Rate

Released

Returned

Rate

Under 30
Male
LEVEL I

CTF

24

100.0%

0.1

1

1

N/A

0

0

N/A

1

1

N/A

SBURN

54

0.0%

0.3

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.2

1

N/A

0

N/A

1
2

0

50.0%

1
1

0

39

0
1

1

N/A

Sub-Total
LEVEL II

CCI

27

100%

0.8

1

1

N/A

0

0

N/A

1

1

N/A

CRC

43

33.3%

0.6

3

3

N/A

0

0

N/A

3

3

N/A

3
7

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

0

N/A

3
7

0

N/A

0
0

0

4

4

N/A

DVI
Sub-Total
LEVEL III
Sub-Total

WSP

LEVEL IV
Sub-Total

HDSP

33

33.3%

0.2

33

42.9%

0.2

30

0.0%

0.5

2

2

N/A

0

0

N/A

2

2

N/A

30

0.0%

0.0

2

2

N/A

0

0

N/A

2

2

N/A

0
0

0

N/A

N/A

N/A

1
1

0

0

0

N/A
45.5%

31

0.0%

0.4

N/A

43.9%

0.6

1
1

0

34

0

N/A

Reception Center CCI

32

35.1%

0.5

77

35

45.5%

0

0

N/A

77

35

CIM

28

40.0%

0.1

4

3

N/A

1

1

N/A

5

4

N/A

DVI

34

43.9%

0.6

57

43

75.4%

0

0

N/A

57

43

75.4%

HDSP

27

25.0%

0.5

4

2

N/A

0

0

N/A

4

2

N/A

LAC

35

28.1%

0.4

32

11

34.4%

0

0

N/A

32

11

34.4%
55.4%

NKSP

31

43.9%

0.6

139

77

55.4%

0

0

N/A

139

77

RJD

31

44.0%

0.6

25

18

72.0%

0

0

N/A

25

18

N/A

SQ

32

51.8%

0.6

54

40

74.1%

2

2

N/A

56

42

75.0%

198
590

116

58.6%

N/A

58.6%

3

N/A

198
593

116

58.5%

0
3

0

345

348

58.7%

WSP
Sub-Total

30

0

0.6

32

41.8%

0.6

Female
Institutions

CCWF

27

0.0%

0.9

3

2

N/A

0

0

N/A

3

2

N/A

CIW

36

0.0%

0.3

4

1

N/A

0

0

N/A

4

1

N/A

26

20.0%

0.9

N/A

N/A

N/A

4

N/A

0

N/A

5
12

1

0.8

0
0

0

8.3%

5
12

1

29

4

N/A
44.9%

VSPW
Sub-Total
Reception Center CCWF

36

12.8%

0.5

78

35

44.9%

0

0

N/A

78

35

CIW

32

25.0%

0.3

3

1

N/A

1

1

N/A

4

2

N/A

CRCW

31

0.0%

0.4

1

1

N/A

0

0

N/A

1

1

N/A

42
125

21

50.0%

59

47.2%

115,254

75,019

65.1%

VSPW

32

23.8%

0.5

50.0%

N/A

16.8%

0.5

58

46.8%

0
1

0

33

42
124

21

Sub-Total

1

N/A

Grand Total

35

52.9%

4.3

67,029

38,158

56.9%

48,225

36,861

76.4%

69

70

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Appendix E
Three-Year Recidivism Rates*
By Security Housing Unit (SHU) Institution and
Time Between SHU and Parole
Felons Released in FY 2006-07

Institution

1

CCI - SHU
Parole from SHU
Within 14 DAYS
15 - 30 DAYS
OVER 30 DAYS
CIW - SHU
OVER 30 DAYS
COR - SHU
Parole from SHU
Within 14 DAYS
15 - 30 DAYS
OVER 30 DAYS
FSP - SHU
OVER 30 DAYS
PBSP - SHU
Parole from SHU
Within 14 DAYS
15 - 30 DAYS
OVER 30 DAYS
SQ - SHU
OVER 30 DAYS
VSPW - SHU
Parole from SHU
Within 14 DAYS
15 - 30 DAYS
OVER 30 DAYS
NO SHU
TOTAL

TOTAL
TOTAL RECIDIVATED
NUMBER
IN THREE YEARS
RELEASED

N

88
85
12
734

5

263
156
27
4,099

19

4
65
6
201

7

Rate

62 70.5%
69 81.2%
7 NA
516 70.3%

1

NA

168 63.9%
124 79.5%
14 NA
2,848 69.5%

7

NA

4 NA
46 70.8%
4 NA
158 78.6%

2

NA

10
8
2
211

7 NA
5 NA
2 NA
145 68.7%

109,252
115,254

70,830 64.8%
75,019 65.1%

Re-Releases

First Releases
One Year

N

Rate

37 60.7%
26 47.3%
3 NA
176 46.9%

0

NA

79 42.0%
56 53.3%
7 NA
735 40.6%

1

NA

2 NA
20 32.8%
2 NA
30 50.8%

0

NA

4 NA
2 NA
1 NA
31 40.3%

Two Years

Three Years

N

N

Rate

40 65.6%
34 61.8%
5 NA
220 58.7%

0

2

42 68.9%
43 78.2%
5 NA
236 62.9%

NA

104 55.3%
74 70.5%
9 NA
987 54.5%

0

NA

NA

4 NA
5 NA
1 NA
38 49.4%

3

NA

4 NA
43 70.5%
3 NA
43 72.9%

0

NA

4 NA
5 NA
1 NA
42 54.5%

N

Rate

13 48.1%
22 73.3%
2 NA
230 64.1%

0

NA

43 57.3%
39 76.5%
4 NA
1,385 60.6%

4

NA

0 NA
2 NA
0 NA
91 64.1%

1

NA

2 NA
0 NA
1 NA
80 59.7%

Two Years

Three Years

N

N

Rate

20 74.1%
25 83.3%
2 NA
267 74.4%

0

NA

48 64.0%
44 86.3%
4 NA
1,666 72.8%

4

NA

0 NA
2 NA
1 NA
109 76.8%

2

NA

3 NA
0 NA
1 NA
94 70.1%

Rate

20 74.1%
26 86.7%
2 NA
280 78.0%

1

NA

54 72.0%
45 88.2%
4 NA
1,759 76.9%

4

NA

0 NA
3 NA
1 NA
115 81.0%

2

NA

3 NA
0 NA
1 NA
103 76.9%

24,756 38.6% 33,015 51.5% 36,392 56.7% 27,280 60.5% 32,783 72.7% 34,438 76.4%
25,968 38.7% 34,617 51.6% 38,158 56.9% 29,199 60.5% 35,075 72.7% 36,861 76.4%

* Recidivism rates were not calculated when fewer than 30 offenders were released.
1.

NA

114 60.6%
79 75.2%
10 NA
1,089 60.1%

4 NA
31 50.8%
3 NA
41 69.5%

0

Rate

One Year

Note: Not necessarily institution from which offenders paroled.

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Three-Year Recidivism Rates*
By Security Housing Unit (SHU) Institution
and Total Time Spent in a SHU1
Felons Released in FY 2006-07

Institution

2

TOTAL
TOTAL RECIDIVATED
NUMBER
IN THREE YEARS
RELEASED

N
CCI - SHU
1 Year
2 Years
3 Years
4 Years
5 Years
6+ Years

783
76
27
9
7
17

Rate
549 70.1%
56 73.7%
24 88.9%
7 NA
5 NA
13 NA

CIW - SHU
1 Year
5 Years

5
0

1
0

COR - SHU
1 Year
2 Years
3 Years
4 Years
5 Years
6+ Years

4,188
209
72
33
17
26

2,891
162
53
23
11
14

FSP - SHU
1 Year
2 Years

16
2

6
0

NA
NA

PBSP - SHU
1 Year
2 Years
3 Years
4 Years
5 Years
6+ Years

108
64
36
23
15
30

81
54
29
18
13
17

75.0%
84.4%
80.6%
78.3%
NA
NA

4
3

1
1

NA
NA

SQ - SHU
1 Year
2 Years

NA
NA

69.0%
77.5%
73.6%
69.7%
NA
53.8%

First Releases
One Year

N

Rate

209 47.9%
21 52.5%
7 NA
0 NA
2 NA
3 NA

0
0

NA
NA

804 41.1%
49 48.0%
10 27.0%
6 NA
1 NA
7 NA

1
0

NA
NA

21 53.8%
12 40.0%
6 NA
5 NA
4 NA
6 NA

0
0

NA
NA

Re-Releases

Two Years

Three Years

N

N

Rate

257 58.9%
25 62.5%
9 NA
0 NA
2 NA
6 NA

0
0

NA
NA

1,070 54.8%
68 66.7%
21 56.8%
7 NA
1 NA
7 NA

2
0

NA
NA

26 66.7%
18 60.0%
11 NA
7 NA
9 NA
8 NA

0
0

NA
NA

Rate

281 64.4%
27 67.5%
9 NA
0 NA
2 NA
7 NA

0
0

1,172 60.0%
77 75.5%
25 67.6%
7 NA
4 NA
7 NA

3
0

Total time in a SHU for parole term case.

2.

Last SHU prior to parole.

NA
NA

29 74.4%
22 73.3%
14 NA
8 NA
11 NA
9 NA

0
0

VSPW - SHU
1 Year
219
152 69.4%
35 40.7%
44 51.2%
48
2 Years
10
6 NA
3 NA
4 NA
4
3 Years
1
0 NA
0 NA
0 NA
0
6+ Years
1
1 NA
0 NA
0 NA
0
Any SHU
6,002
4,189 69.8%
1212 42.3% 1602 56.0% 1766
NO SHU
109,252 70,830 64.8% 24,756 38.6% 33,015 51.5% 36,392
TOTAL
115,254 75,019 65.1% 25,968 38.7% 34,617 51.6% 38,158
* Recidivism rates were not calculated when fewer than 30 offenders were released.
1.

NA
NA

NA
NA

One Year

N

Rate

222 64.0%
19 52.8%
12 NA
6 NA
2 NA
6 NA

0
0

NA
NA

1,353 60.6%
67 62.6%
25 71.4%
12 NA
7 NA
7 NA

3
0

NA
NA

40 58.0%
25 73.5%
11 NA
8 NA
2 NA
7 NA

0
1

NA
NA

Two Years

Three Years

N

N

Rate

258 74.4%
26 72.2%
14 NA
7 NA
3 NA
6 NA

0
0

NA
NA

1,627 72.8%
80 74.8%
26 74.3%
15 NA
7 NA
7 NA

3
0

NA
NA

49 71.0%
30 88.2%
13 NA
10 NA
2 NA
8 NA

1
1

NA
NA

Rate

268 77.2%
29 80.6%
15 NA
7 NA
3 NA
6 NA

1
0

NA
NA

1,719 76.9%
85 79.4%
28 80.0%
16 NA
7 NA
7 NA

3
0

NA
NA

52 75.4%
32 94.1%
15 NA
10 NA
2 NA
8 NA

1
1

NA
NA

55.8%
80 60.2%
95 71.4%
104 78.2%
NA
2 NA
2 NA
2 NA
NA
0 NA
0 NA
0 NA
NA
1 NA
1 NA
1 NA
61.7% 1919 61.1% 2292 73.0% 2423 77.2%
56.7% 27,280 60.5% 32,783 72.7% 34,438 76.4%
56.9% 29,199 60.5% 35,075 72.7% 36,861 76.4%

71

72

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

Appendix F
Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Male Felons Released in FY 2006-07
Three Year Recidivism Rates by Program Location
Institution Facility/Building
ASP
CCI
CIM

Avenal State Prison-A
CA Correctional Institute-A
CA Institute for Men-A
CA Institute for Men-B
CMC
CA Men's Colony-West-A
CRC
CA Rehabilitation Center-A
CA Rehabilitation Center-C
CA Rehabilitation Center-E
CA Rehabilitation Center-G
COR
CA State Prison, Corcoran-A
CTF
Correctional Training Facility - South-A
Correctional Training Facility - South-B
CVSP Chuckawalla Valley State Prison-A
RJD
R J Donovan Correctional Facility-A
R J Donovan Correctional Facility-B
R J Donovan Correctional Facility-C
R J Donovan Correctional Facility-D
SAC
CA State Prison, Sacramento-A
ISP
Ironwood State Prison-A
KVSP Kern Valley State Prison-A
LAC
CA State Prison, Los Angeles County-A
NKSP North Kern State Prison-A
PVSP Pleasant Valley State Prison-B
SATF
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility-Corcoran-A
Substance Abuse Treatment Facility-Corcoran-B
SCC
Sierra Conservation Center-A
Sierra Conservation Center-B
SOL
CA State Prison, Solano-A
CA State Prison, Solano-B
WSP
Wasco State Prison-A
DTF
Drug Treatment Furlough-Region 4
MRA- Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-1
SASCA Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-2
Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-3
Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-4
SASCA Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-1
Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-2
Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-3
Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-4
Total

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

312
167
278
259
312
120
134
105
179
336
340
249
312
122
95
81
6
696
224
14
150
1,261
171
952
462
225
127
287
120
1,555
1
38
13
42
35
304
238
594
586
11,502

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS

N
231
117
184
166
214
80
87
73
134
216
231
206
222
92
72
63
3
487
162
12
123
781
124
678
287
174
82
208
87
1,062
0
13
6
22
16
171
137
287
339
7,649

Rate
74.0%
70.1%
66.2%
64.1%
68.6%
66.7%
64.9%
69.5%
74.9%
64.3%
67.9%
82.7%
71.2%
75.4%
75.8%
77.8%
N/A
70.0%
72.3%
N/A
82.0%
61.9%
72.5%
71.2%
62.1%
77.3%
64.6%
72.5%
72.5%
68.3%
N/A
34.2%
N/A
52.4%
45.7%
56.3%
57.6%
48.3%
57.8%
66.5%

First Releases
One Year

Two Years

N
Rate
N
81 42.0% 108
53 40.8%
78
70 35.7% 100
70 36.5%
96
76 38.2% 110
27 34.2%
42
34 42.0%
43
21 33.3%
35
46 45.1%
63
92 39.3% 127
85 40.1% 111
104 55.0% 133
95 45.0% 126
41 50.6%
50
35 59.3%
39
16 42.1%
26
1 N/A
1
201 40.7% 279
68 43.9%
92
10 N/A
11
49 57.6%
65
447 38.9% 622
65 49.2%
82
251 42.3% 334
182 42.3% 246
83 54.6% 104
24 32.0%
34
88 47.6% 113
34 48.6%
43
596 46.0% 775
0 N/A
0
8 21.1%
12
4 N/A
5
12 29.3%
18
9 26.5%
13
85 31.3% 127
84 37.5% 111
124 21.4% 223
194 35.6% 271
3,565 40.3% 4,868

Re-Releases
Three Years

Rate
N
56.0% 126
60.0%
85
51.0% 118
50.0% 109
55.3% 121
53.2%
48
53.1%
44
55.6%
37
61.8%
69
54.3% 138
52.4% 122
70.4% 153
59.7% 139
61.7%
54
66.1%
43
68.4%
28
N/A
1
56.5% 318
59.4% 105
N/A
12
76.5%
70
54.2% 696
62.1%
91
56.3% 379
57.2% 264
68.4% 112
45.3%
37
61.1% 122
61.4%
45
59.8% 841
N/A
0
31.6%
13
N/A
6
43.9%
22
38.2%
16
46.7% 148
49.6% 126
38.4% 279
49.7% 312
55.1% 5,449

One Year

Two Years

Rate
N
Rate
N
65.3%
86 72.3% 102
65.4%
31 83.8%
32
60.2%
52 63.4%
62
56.8%
47 70.1%
57
60.8%
82 72.6%
90
60.8%
28 68.3%
30
54.3%
35 66.0%
42
58.7%
28 66.7%
35
67.6%
51 66.2%
64
59.0%
60 58.8%
72
57.5%
81 63.3% 103
81.0%
44 73.3%
52
65.9%
63 62.4%
80
66.7%
29 70.7%
37
72.9%
21 58.3%
29
73.7%
31 72.1%
35
N/A
1 N/A
2
64.4% 133 65.8% 164
67.7%
45 65.2%
54
N/A
0 N/A
0
82.4%
35 53.8%
49
60.6%
66 58.4%
82
68.9%
31 79.5%
33
63.9% 243 67.7% 286
61.4%
18 56.3%
23
73.7%
48 65.8%
62
49.3%
36 69.2%
44
65.9%
67 65.7%
85
64.3%
36 72.0%
41
64.9% 174 66.9% 209
N/A
0 N/A
0
34.2%
0 N/A
0
N/A
0 N/A
0
53.7%
0 N/A
0
47.1%
0 N/A
0
54.4%
18 56.3%
23
56.3%
7 N/A
10
48.1%
6 N/A
8
57.2%
20 48.8%
27
61.7% 1,753 65.8% 2,124

Three Years

Rate
N
85.7% 105
86.5%
32
75.6%
66
85.1%
57
79.6%
93
73.2%
32
79.2%
43
83.3%
36
83.1%
65
70.6%
78
80.5% 109
86.7%
53
79.2%
83
90.2%
38
80.6%
29
81.4%
35
N/A
2
81.2% 169
78.3%
57
N/A
0
75.4%
53
72.6%
85
84.6%
33
79.7% 299
71.9%
23
84.9%
62
84.6%
45
83.3%
86
82.0%
42
80.4% 221
N/A
0
N/A
0
N/A
0
N/A
0
N/A
0
71.9%
23
N/A
11
N/A
8
65.9%
27
79.7% 2,200

Rate
88.2%
86.5%
80.5%
85.1%
82.3%
78.0%
81.1%
85.7%
84.4%
76.5%
85.2%
88.3%
82.2%
92.7%
80.6%
81.4%
N/A
83.7%
82.6%
N/A
81.5%
75.2%
84.6%
83.3%
71.9%
84.9%
86.5%
84.3%
84.0%
85.0%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
71.9%
N/A
N/A
65.9%
82.5%

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report

73

November 2011

Substance Abuse Treatment Programs
Female Felons Released in FY 2006-07
Three Year Recidivism Rates by Program Location
Institution Facility/Building
CCWF

Central California Woman's Facility-A
Central California Woman's Facility-B
CIW
CA Institute for Women-A
CA Institute for Women-C
CRC
CA Rehabilitation Center-D
FOTEP Female Offender Treatment & Emplymnt Pgm-1
Female Offender Treatment & Emplymnt Pgm-2
Female Offender Treatment & Emplymnt Pgm-3
Female Offender Treatment & Emplymnt Pgm-4
VSPW Valley State Prison for Women-A
Valley State Prison for Women-B
MCOP-S Mandatory Conditions of Parole (SASCA)-1
MRA- Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-1
SASCA Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-2
Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-3
Mandatory Residential Aftercase-SB1453 (SASCA)-4
SASCA Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-1
Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-2
Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-3
Substance Abuse Services Coordination Agency-4
Total

TOTAL
NUMBER
RELEASED

346
391
563
153
187
35
31
51
56
306
457
3
25
12
32
29
118
55
96
101
3,047

TOTAL RECIDIVATED
IN THREE YEARS

N
199
187
313
87
95
15
11
30
22
179
280
1
6
6
9
12
46
19
29
47
1,593

Rate
57.5%
47.8%
55.6%
56.9%
50.8%
42.9%
35.5%
58.8%
39.3%
58.5%
61.3%
N/A
N/A
N/A
28.1%
N/A
39.0%
34.5%
30.2%
46.5%
52.3%

Re-Releases

First Releases
One Year

N
Rate
84 30.4%
76 25.2%
114 30.1%
38 33.3%
38 26.6%
4 N/A
5 16.7%
15 32.6%
8 16.0%
67 28.0%
96 35.0%
0 N/A
3 N/A
2 N/A
3 10.0%
8 N/A
21 20.2%
9 19.6%
11 12.6%
24 26.7%
626 27.2%

Two Years

N
127
109
161
50
54
9
9
22
16
104
129
1
6
4
7
8
31
11
21
37
916

Three Years

Rate
N
46.0% 145
36.2% 124
42.5% 182
43.9%
57
37.8%
62
N/A
11
30.0%
10
47.8%
27
32.0%
17
43.5% 121
47.1% 144
N/A
1
N/A
6
N/A
6
23.3%
8
N/A
10
29.8%
37
23.9%
14
24.1%
27
41.1%
39
39.7% 1,048

Rate
52.5%
41.2%
48.0%
50.0%
43.4%
N/A
33.3%
58.7%
34.0%
50.6%
52.6%
N/A
N/A
N/A
26.7%
N/A
35.6%
30.4%
31.0%
43.3%
45.5%

One Year

N
Rate
47 67.1%
53 58.9%
108 58.7%
26 66.7%
25 56.8%
3 N/A
1 N/A
3 N/A
4 N/A
46 68.7%
97 53.0%
0 N/A
0 N/A
0 N/A
1 N/A
2 N/A
6 N/A
4 N/A
1 N/A
5 N/A
432 58.2%

Two Years

N
51
62
126
30
33
4
1
3
5
53
130
0
0
0
1
2
8
5
2
7
523

Rate
72.9%
68.9%
68.5%
76.9%
75.0%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
79.1%
71.0%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
70.5%

Three Years

N
54
63
131
30
33
4
1
3
5
58
136
0
0
0
1
2
9
5
2
8
545

Rate
77.1%
70.0%
71.2%
76.9%
75.0%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
86.6%
74.3%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
73.5%

74

2011 CDCR Adult Institutions Outcome Evaluation Report
November 2011

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office of Research, Research and Evaluation Branch
On the World Wide Web at:

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/adult_research_branch