Good news for Oregonians, the rates of recidivism have dropped to lower than national averages. A staggering half of Oregon inmates who are released on parole or post-prison supervision are arrested again within three years, according to Oregon’s Criminal Justice Commission. More than a third of the offenders are convicted for new crimes.
Studies show that people leaving prison and are able to access a living wage job and other support do not reoffend in any significant numbers. Quotes from Raimore Construction’s Jeff Moreland, DeAngelo Morning, and a few others, broached this very topic on the Resource Scholars Show. The interviews referred to rebuilding communities purposely denied opportunities over the years. When there is a living wage and attachments to family, spiritual group, and work, former offenders end up doing very well. There are other states where the numbers are much worse.
Here’s a glimpse at what CJC data shows:
– 51% of parole/post-prison supervision offenders were arrested again within three years of their release
– 35% were convicted again within three years
– 13.5% were incarcerated again within three years
Oregon’s rates of recidivism are lower than the national averages most recently reported by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics. In a survey of 34 states, BJS found:
– 62% of state prisoners were arrested again within three years of release
– 45% were convicted again within three years
– 39% were incarcerated again within three years
The data show that the BJS report covers inmates released between 2012 and 2015, whereas the most recent Oregon CJC reporting covers 2019 to 2022. Oregon’s recidivism statistics — and recidivism throughout the country — decreased significantly during the pandemic.
When surveying all offenders released in a 2016 cohort, the CJC reported 55% were arrested again, 45% were convicted again, and 18% were incarcerated again. This data is the 3-year recidivism timeframe ending before the pandemic. These numbers are closer in line with national averages.
One of the many bright spots to having companies that do not require a college degree to make great money is Oregon has Raimore Construction. The prime contractor has done more than just talk about hiring those in need. So, when looking at lowering the recidivism rate, deacreasing crime, and building up families, the solution lies in supporting companies like Raimore Construction. The numbers don’t lie.
Information showing the arrest data isn’t directly comparable to recidivism statistics. It must be taken into consideration that some inmates were released early, others had longer time to serve, so their sentences were reduced. The CJC is studying the recidivism of the hundreds of inmates Governor Kate Brown released in 2020.
