The percentage of released convicts who are rearrested is known as what?

• A. Summons
• B. Forfeiture
• C. Recidivism rate
• D. Legislative Branch

Answer: (C)

Recidivism is the tendency of a released offender to commit new offenses. The percentage of released convicts who are rearrested is a direct way to quantify that tendency, which is why it’s called the recidivism rate. It’s typically calculated by taking the number of released individuals who are rearrested within a defined follow-up period, dividing by the total number released, and multiplying by 100. This metric helps gauge how often people reoffend after release and informs assessments of rehabilitation, supervision, and public safety programs.

The other terms don’t fit: a summons is a legal notice to appear in court, forfeiture is the loss of property as a penalty, and the Legislative Branch is a branch of government.