recidiver

Recidiver is a term used in several European languages, including Norwegian and Dutch, to denote a person who commits a new criminal offense after having been previously convicted. In English-language criminology the equivalent term is recidivist or repeat offender; the noun recidiver is less common but appears in bilingual or international contexts. The concept is closely linked to recidivism, the tendency of a convicted person to reoffend.

Recidivism is typically measured in criminology and policy literature by rearrest, reconviction, or return to prison. Different jurisdictions use different time frames, often ranging from one to five years after release or conviction. Because of varying definitions, stated recidivism rates can differ widely across studies and regions.

Risk of recidiver is associated with multiple factors, including prior criminal history, age at first offense, substance abuse, mental health issues, unemployment, and social network. Offense type matters; property and drug offenses generally show different patterns than violent crimes. Interventions that address risk factors during transition from custody to community are among the most studied ways to reduce reoffending.

Policy responses aim to reduce recidivism through rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, such as education and vocational training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, substance abuse treatment, effective parole and probation supervision, and social support services. Some programs use risk-need-responsivity frameworks to tailor interventions to individual offenders and reduce chances of reoffending.

Critics note that recidivism statistics can reflect policing and reporting practices as well as offender behavior, and may not capture desistance or gains in non-criminal activities. The term recidiver emphasizes a particular identity, which can influence public perception and policy.