Re-offending rate during first year of probation falls to 11-year low

Muireann Duffy

The number of people who committed another offence during the first year of their probation for an earlier offence has fallen to the lowest level recorded since 2008.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show the rate of re-offending during the first year of probation was 25 per cent in 2019, down from 28 per cent in 2018.

The highest re-offending rate within the first year of probation was among under 18s, at 44 per cent. The re-offending rate declined steadily among older cohorts; 29 per cent for people aged 18-24, 23 per cent for 25-44, 15 per cent for 45-65, 9 per cent for people 65 and over.

By area, the South0West (Kerry and Cork) had the highest rate of people on probation re-offending within one year (29 per cent), followed by Dublin (23 per cent).

Of the total 5,644 probation orders issued in 2019, the largest category related to Road & Traffic offences (987), 18 per cent of whom re-offended within 12 months of being put on probation.

Expanding the timeframe, the research found almost half (47 per cent) committed at least one crime for which they received a conviction in the first three years of their probation. The two-year re-offending rate was 39 per cent.