It's a bit hard to quantify. Coming to this as a criminal justice system participant, I would define recidivism in terms of a subsequent conviction for a criminal offence. I think the presumption of innocence obliges us to treat it that way. However, the report that the research and statistics branch of Justice has just released, which relies on reports from across the United States and Canada, as well as two reports from Australia, defines recidivism not just in terms of subsequent convictions, but also in terms of subsequent charges. I have a little difficulty with that conceptually, because of the presumption of innocence. But I don't think the research has been consistent. I'm not an expert in how the research is being done. I think the best I could do is direct the committee to this recent report from the research and statistics branch.
On October 31st, 2006. See this statement in context.