On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 10:01:21 -0700, Doug Winterburn
wrote:

On Wed, 05 Jan 2005 16:51:19 +0000, Dave Hinz wrote:


Fortunately, this isn't at all uncommon. According to national
statistics something like two-thirds of offenders choose not to
re-offend after each incareration. They serve their time, finish out
their parole and move on to other things.

It's the 1/3 who keep doing it that are more of a problem, though.

I remember reading that 80% of violent crimes are committed by repeat
offenders. Aren't statistics wonderful.

- Doug

Actually there's no conflict in the numbers at all.
First, as another poster pointed out, the ones who keep re-offending
in spite of repeated incarcerations are increasingly dangerous. By the
time you get someone who's done three or four stretches you've got
someone who is _real_ dangerous.

Second, most criminals manage to commit a lot of crimes before they're
caught, even for the second or third time.

--RC

"Sometimes history doesn't repeat itself. It just yells
'can't you remember anything I've told you?' and lets
fly with a club.
-- John W. Cambell Jr.