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More than 4 in 10 prisoners released from custody in Ireland during 2023 were convicted of another offence within a year of their release, according to new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The CSO’s Prison Re-offending Statistics 2023, published today, found that 42% of individuals released from custodial sentences in 2023 were convicted of re-offending within one year. The figures also show that younger offenders were the most likely to return to crime, with 58% of those aged under 21 re-offending within a year of their release.
The statistics also show that almost six in ten people (58%) released from prison in 2020 were convicted of another offence within three years, although this represented a four percentage point decrease compared with the equivalent figure for those released in 2018.
Commenting on the figures, CSO statistician Felix Coleman said the publication provides annual estimates of re-offending rates for people released from custody, along with additional information on the characteristics of those who re-offend.
“Today’s publication provides annual estimates of the re-offending rates for individuals released from custody up to and including 2023,” Coleman said.
“Additional insights are also provided in relation to the age, sex, offence, and re-offence types of those who re-offended.”
He also explained why the most recent one-year figures relate to 2023.
“The most recent reference year available for statistics relating to one-year re-offending is 2023 because a minimum of two years is needed to establish a re-offending rate,” Coleman said.
“One year for potential re-offences to take place, and one further year for court conviction proceedings to be completed.”
The figures show younger offenders consistently recorded the highest rates of re-offending.
Among those released from custody in 2023, 58% of people aged under 21 were convicted of another offence within one year. While this was lower than the 63% recorded in 2022, it remained the highest rate of any age group.
Looking at the longer-term figures, 77% of offenders aged under 21 who were released in 2020 were convicted of another offence within three years. By comparison, just 26% of those aged 51 and over re-offended during the same period.
The CSO also found that offence type influenced the likelihood of re-offending.
Individuals who had served custodial sentences for robbery offences recorded the highest three-year re-offending rate, with 78% convicted of another offence within three years of their release.
Meanwhile, the reduction in one-year re-offending during 2023 was partly driven by a fall among people imprisoned for theft-related offences. The proportion re-offending within one year fell from 63% for those released in 2022 to 58% for those released in 2023.
The report also examined the types of offences committed after release.
Almost two-thirds (65%) of offences committed within one year of release in 2023 were classified as theft, public order or drug-related offences.
Regional differences were also evident.
The Mid-West, comprising Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, recorded the highest one-year re-offending rate at 52%. The Mid-East, consisting of Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow, recorded the lowest rate at 34%.
Overall, the CSO said one-year re-offending remained relatively stable, falling from 44% among those released in 2022 to 42% for those released in 2023.
The statistics are based on individuals released from custodial sentences by the Irish Prison Service who were subsequently convicted of another offence within the relevant reference period. One-year re-offending measures convictions following offences committed within one year of release, while the three-year measure tracks offences committed within three years of release, with additional time allowed in both cases for court proceedings to conclude.
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