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recidivism

rih-SID-uh-viz-um /rɪˈsɪdɪvɪzəm/

nounC1GRESATUPSC

academiclegalpolicy

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior.

Almost exclusively used in criminology, sociology, and legal policy to measure rate of reoffending.

The story behind the word. Derived from Medieval Latin 'recidivare' (to fall back), which comes from Latin 'cadere' (to fall). It originally described a relapse into illness before 19th-century French criminologists adapted it for repeat legal offenders.

Word relationships

relapse: 'Relapse' is broader and used heavily in medical/addiction contexts; 'recidivism' is specifically criminal.
reoffending: Plain English equivalent of the formal academic term 'recidivism'.

rehabilitation: Successful integration without returning to crime.
desistance: The cessation of offending or criminal behavior.

Commonly confused with

relapse: 'Relapse' refers to health or addiction; 'recidivism' refers specifically to criminal acts.

Word family

recidivist (noun): A repeat offender.
recidivate (verb): To relapse into criminal behavior.

Collocations

recidivism rate
reduce recidivism
risk of recidivism

Example sentences

"High rates of recidivism indicate that purely punitive prison sentences rarely prevent future crimes." Criminology Study
"Vocational training in prisons significantly reduced recidivism within three years of release." Government Policy Report

Memory hook

RE-CID-ivism -> RE-FALLing into old bad habits (cadere = fall). FALL BACK into crime.

When not to use

Avoid using for minor daily mistakes like breaking a personal diet; reserve for criminal or severe addictive relapses.

Fun facts

The root 'cadere' (to fall) also gives us words like 'cascade', 'accident', and 'decay'.