Offender numbers classified by whether there was a re-offence within three years, 2009 cohort | |||||
Re-offence within three years | Recidivism1 rate | ||||
Yes | No | Total | % | ||
Total offenders | 1,436 | 2,418 | 3,854 | 37.3 | |
Sex | |||||
Male | 1,279 | 2,059 | 3,338 | 38.3 | |
Female | 157 | 359 | 516 | 30.4 | |
All persons age group | |||||
<18 | 144 | 87 | 231 | 62.3 | |
18-24 | 652 | 951 | 1,603 | 40.7 | |
25-44 | 586 | 1,204 | 1,790 | 32.7 | |
45-64 | 54 | 161 | 215 | 25.1 | |
65 + | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0.0 | |
Probation type | |||||
Community service | 486 | 1,008 | 1,494 | 32.5 | |
Probation order | 950 | 1,410 | 2,360 | 40.3 | |
1 See Background Notes. |
This release is a study of unique individuals who were placed on Probation Orders or Community Service Orders in the year 2009 (the 2009 cohort), and their subsequent levels of re-offending (which is termed recidivism, and is based on first subsequent conviction). A comparison table with the 2008 cohort is also included. Please see the Background Notes for detailed information on how recidivism is defined; the scope and extent of this study; and how these figures were produced.
In 2009, 3,854 individuals were placed on Probation orders or Community service orders. Of these, 1,436 (37.3%) re-offended within a three-year period. However, the re-offending rates (recidivism) differed significantly when considering demographic factors, type of Probation service supervision and the initial offence which placed the individual on probation (the referral offence). See table 1.
Recidivism was higher for males than females and for younger age groups; it also varied significantly by referral offence. Just over 40% re-offences occurred within 12 months of commencing probation.
When compared with 2008, the overall recidivism rate fell from 41.0% to 37.3%, an absolute change of -3.8%. Recidivism by males decreased to 38.3% in 2008 while females fell to 30.4%.
The CSO resumed the publication of recorded crime statistics in June 2015. This follows a comprehensive review of the accuracy of Garda Síochana crime data, on foot of the Garda Inspectorate report on Crime Investigation, published 11th November 2014. When interpreting the recorded crime statistics, the CSO advises that the findings of the review should be taken into account. In particular, the CSO recommends that caution be applied to the measure of recidivism. Recidivism measures are based on recorded offences, however, the CSO review found that not all offences reported to An Garda Síochana were being recorded on PULSE. As a result, it is possible that the rate of recidivism would be higher if this “recording gap” did not exist. http://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/releasespublications/documents/crimejustice/2015/reviewofcrime.pdf |
Rate comparison 2008 and 2009
Recidivism rates fell by 3.8% between 2008 and 2009. When considering age and sex, these trends were repeated. Recidivism among males fell by 3.8% to 38.3% in 2009 while female recidivism fell by 3.6% to 30.4% in the same periods. Falls in the recidivism rates were also observed across all age groups. See table 1.
However, the recidivism male referrals aged less than 18 years of age rose from 59.9% in 2008 to 65.2% in 2009. The re-offending rates for males aged between 45 and 64 years also increased by 1.1% to 25.3% in 2009.
Recidivism among those referred to Community Service has fell by almost 6%, while recidivism among those under Probation Orders fell by 2.0% between 2008 and 2009.
Recidivism by age and sex
Of the 3,338 males in the 2009 cohort, 38.3% reoffended within three years, while the corresponding figure for females was 30.4%. See table 1 and figure 1.
Recidivism rates decreased with age group. While 62.3% of individuals aged less than 18 years re-offended; the recidivism rate fell to 26.0% in the 45-64 year age category, and to 0% in the 65 years and older age category (though it is important to note that only 15 individuals were in the latter age group).
Type of probation
When considering those placed on Community service orders (1,494), some 486 (32.5%).re-offended within a three-year-period. In contrast, the recidivism rate of those issued with Probation orders was 40.3% (950 individuals).
Initial referral offence
Recidivism rates differed by initial offence (the offence for which the individual was placed on Probation service supervision). While 26.2% of the 225 individuals referred for Group 04 Dangerous and Negligent Acts offences re-offended, the re-offending rates for Group 07 Burglary and Related Offences was 49.4% and 42.3% for Group 11 Weapons and Explosives Offences.
Initial referral offence and re-offence
Of the 1,543 re-offenders from the 2009 cohort, 42.1% (685) committed a first subsequent re-offence in the category of Group 13 Public Order and Other Social Code Offences, while 239 (16.7%) of re-offences were in Group 08 Theft and Related Offences; 111 (7.7%) for Group 10 Controlled Drugs Offences and 116 (8.1%) for Group 04 Dangerous and Negligent Acts offences. See table 2.
When considering referral offences, and subsequent re-offences, different trends were seen across different offence groups. Of the 294 re-offences where the initial offence was classified under Group 13 Public Order and Other Social Code Offences, 180 (61.2%) of the subsequent re-offences were also classified under Group 13.
Such a relationship between referral offence and subsequent re-offence is not as evident in other groups. For example, of re-offenders initially referred for Group 08 Theft and Related Offences, 104 (34.2%) re-offended in the same group, while 86 (28.3%) re-offended in Group 13 Public Order and Other Social Code Offences.
Initial referral offence and age group
As noted in paragraph 2 above, a general trend is that re-offending rates decrease with age. However, the extent to which this occurs differs significantly for different referral offences.
Re-offending rates for those referred for Group 13 Public Order and Related Offences varied from 66.7% for those aged 18 years or younger to 30.3% in the 45-64 year age group. This effect is particularly noticeable in Group 03 Attempts or Threats to Murder, Assaults, Harassments and Related Offences, where 55.9% of individuals in the <18 year age group re-offended while only 23.8% of individuals in the 25-44 year age group re-offended. See table 4.
The relationship between time to re-offence and re-offending rates
Of the 1,436 individuals who re-offended, 40.9% did so within the first twelve months, while an additional 28.9% did between the 12 to 24 months of referral to the Probation Service.
Table 1 Offender numbers classified by sex, age group, probation type, probation referral offence and whether there was a re-offence within three years, 2008 and 2009 cohort | ||||||||||||
2008 cohort | 2009 cohort | |||||||||||
Re-offence within | Recidivism1 | Re-offence within | Recidivism | Recidivism | ||||||||
three years | rate | three years | rate | rate | ||||||||
Absolute | ||||||||||||
Yes | No | Total | % | Yes | No | Total | % | change | ||||
Total offenders | 1,543 | 2,218 | 3,761 | 41.0 | 1,436 | 2,418 | 3,854 | 37.3 | - 3.8 | |||
Sex | ||||||||||||
Male | 1,373 | 1,888 | 3,261 | 42.1 | 1,279 | 2,059 | 3,338 | 38.3 | - 3.8 | |||
Female | 170 | 330 | 500 | 34.0 | 157 | 359 | 516 | 30.4 | - 3.6 | |||
Male age group | ||||||||||||
<18 | 142 | 95 | 237 | 59.9 | 133 | 71 | 204 | 65.2 | +5.3 | |||
18-24 | 677 | 800 | 1,477 | 45.8 | 590 | 829 | 1,419 | 41.6 | - 4.3 | |||
25-44 | 515 | 854 | 1,369 | 37.6 | 512 | 1,015 | 1,527 | 33.5 | - 4.1 | |||
45-64 | 39 | 122 | 161 | 24.2 | 44 | 130 | 174 | 25.3 | +1.1 | |||
65 + | 0 | 17 | 17 | 0.0 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||
Female age group | ||||||||||||
<18 | 19 | 21 | 40 | 47.5 | 11 | 16 | 27 | 40.7 | - 6.8 | |||
18-24 | 57 | 116 | 173 | 32.9 | 62 | 122 | 184 | 33.7 | +0.7 | |||
25-44 | 81 | 168 | 249 | 32.5 | 74 | 189 | 263 | 28.1 | - 4.4 | |||
45-64 | 12 | 23 | 35 | 34.3 | 10 | 31 | 41 | 24.4 | - 9.9 | |||
65 + | 1 | 2 | 3 | 33.3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | -33.3 | |||
All persons age group | ||||||||||||
<18 | 161 | 116 | 277 | 58.1 | 144 | 87 | 231 | 62.3 | +4.2 | |||
18-24 | 734 | 916 | 1,650 | 44.5 | 652 | 951 | 1,603 | 40.7 | - 3.8 | |||
25-44 | 596 | 1,022 | 1,618 | 36.8 | 586 | 1,204 | 1,790 | 32.7 | - 4.1 | |||
45-64 | 51 | 145 | 196 | 26.0 | 54 | 161 | 215 | 25.1 | - 0.9 | |||
65 + | 1 | 19 | 20 | 5.0 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0.0 | - 5.0 | |||
Probation type | ||||||||||||
Community service | 463 | 742 | 1,205 | 38.4 | 486 | 1,008 | 1,494 | 32.5 | - 5.9 | |||
Probation order | 1,080 | 1,476 | 2,556 | 42.3 | 950 | 1,410 | 2,360 | 40.3 | - 2.0 | |||
Probation referral offence | ||||||||||||
01 Homicide offences | 1 | 6 | 7 | 14.3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.0 | -14.3 | |||
02 Sexual offences | 5 | 29 | 34 | 14.7 | 4 | 22 | 26 | 15.4 | +0.7 | |||
03 Attempts/Threats to Murder, | ||||||||||||
assaults, harassments and | ||||||||||||
related offences | 169 | 274 | 443 | 38.1 | 143 | 291 | 434 | 32.9 | - 5.2 | |||
04 Dangerous or negligent acts | 62 | 134 | 196 | 31.6 | 59 | 166 | 225 | 26.2 | - 5.4 | |||
05 Kidnapping and related offences | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100.0 | +100.0 | |||
06 Robbery, extortion and | ||||||||||||
hijacking offences | 31 | 42 | 73 | 42.5 | 24 | 50 | 74 | 32.4 | -10.0 | |||
07 Burglary and related offences | 103 | 107 | 210 | 49.0 | 118 | 121 | 239 | 49.4 | +0.3 | |||
08 Theft and related offences | 320 | 415 | 735 | 43.5 | 304 | 423 | 727 | 41.8 | - 1.7 | |||
09 Fraud, deception and related | ||||||||||||
offences | 18 | 30 | 48 | 37.5 | 13 | 53 | 66 | 19.7 | -17.8 | |||
10 Controlled drug offences | 212 | 355 | 567 | 37.4 | 210 | 381 | 591 | 35.5 | - 1.9 | |||
11 Weapons and explosives offences | 58 | 61 | 119 | 48.7 | 52 | 71 | 123 | 42.3 | - 6.5 | |||
12 Damage to property and | ||||||||||||
to the environment | 97 | 110 | 207 | 46.9 | 85 | 140 | 225 | 37.8 | - 9.1 | |||
13 Public order and other social | ||||||||||||
code offences | 329 | 418 | 747 | 44.0 | 294 | 413 | 707 | 41.6 | - 2.5 | |||
14 Road and traffic offences (NEC) | 73 | 147 | 220 | 33.2 | 86 | 206 | 292 | 29.5 | - 3.7 | |||
15 Offences against Government, justice | ||||||||||||
procedures and organisation of crime | 57 | 81 | 138 | 41.3 | 42 | 66 | 108 | 38.9 | - 2.4 | |||
16 Offences not elsewhere classified | 2 | 0 | 2 | 100.0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.0 | -100.0 | |||
Not stated | 6 | 8 | 14 | 42.9 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 9.1 | -33.8 | |||
1 See Background Notes. |
Table 2 Re-offender numbers classified by probation referral offence and subsequent, 2009 cohort | |||||||||||||||||
Subsequent re-offence | |||||||||||||||||
01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | ||||
Homicide | Sexual | Attempts/ | Dangerous | Kidnapping | Robbery, | Burglary | Theft | Fraud, | Controlled | Weapons | Damage | Public | Offences | ||||
offences | offences | Threats | or | and | extortion | and | and | deception | drug | and | to | order | against | ||||
to murder, | negligent | related | and | related | related | and | offences | explosives | property | and | Government, | ||||||
assaults, | acts | offences | hijacking | offences | offences | related | offences | and | other | justice | |||||||
harassments | offences | offences | to the | social | procedures | ||||||||||||
and | environment | code | and | ||||||||||||||
related | offences | Organisation | |||||||||||||||
offences | of Crime | Total | |||||||||||||||
Total re-offenders | 2 | 3 | 33 | 116 | 0 | 12 | 71 | 239 | 15 | 111 | 36 | 55 | 604 | 139 | 1,436 | ||
Probation referral offence | |||||||||||||||||
01 Homicide offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
02 Sexual offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
03 Attempts/Threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences | |||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 79 | 8 | 143 | |||
04 Dangerous or negligent acts | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 8 | 59 | ||
05 Kidnapping and related offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ||
06 Robbery, extortion and hijacking offences | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 24 | ||
07 Burglary and related offences | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 25 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 38 | 8 | 118 | ||
08 Theft and related offences | 0 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 104 | 4 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 86 | 38 | 304 | ||
09 Fraud, deception and related offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 13 | ||
10 Controlled drug offences | 0 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 2 | 37 | 8 | 7 | 80 | 20 | 210 | ||
11 Weapons and explosives offences | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 5 | 52 | ||
12 Damage to property and to the environment | |||||||||||||||||
0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 38 | 7 | 85 | |||
13 Public order and other social code offences | |||||||||||||||||
1 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 1 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 180 | 21 | 294 | |||
14 Road and traffic offences (NEC) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 8 | 86 | ||
15 Offences against Government, justice procedures and organisation of crime | |||||||||||||||||
1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 17 | 9 | 42 | |||
16 Offences not elsewhere classified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Not stated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Table 3 Re-offender numbers classified by time period to first re-offence, sex, age group and probation type, 2009 cohort | |||||||||||||||||||||
Time period to first re-offence | |||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 6 months | 6<12 | 12<18 | 18<24 | 24<36 | 30<36 | Total | |||||||||||||||
number | % | number | % | number | % | number | % | number | % | number | % | number | % | ||||||||
Total re-offenders | 331 | 23.1 | 248 | 17.3 | 256 | 17.8 | 208 | 14.5 | 207 | 14.4 | 186 | 13.0 | 1,436 | 100.0 | |||||||
Sex | |||||||||||||||||||||
Male | 298 | 23.3 | 223 | 17.4 | 231 | 18.1 | 179 | 14.0 | 185 | 14.5 | 163 | 12.7 | 1,279 | 100.0 | |||||||
Female | 33 | 21.0 | 25 | 15.9 | 25 | 15.9 | 29 | 18.5 | 22 | 14.0 | 23 | 14.6 | 157 | 100.0 | |||||||
Male age group | |||||||||||||||||||||
<18 years | 29 | 21.8 | 15 | 11.3 | 29 | 21.8 | 22 | 16.5 | 18 | 13.5 | 20 | 15.0 | 133 | 100.0 | |||||||
18-24 | 147 | 24.9 | 111 | 18.8 | 101 | 17.1 | 69 | 11.7 | 89 | 15.1 | 73 | 12.4 | 590 | 100.0 | |||||||
25-44 | 113 | 22.1 | 84 | 16.4 | 94 | 18.4 | 82 | 16.0 | 73 | 14.3 | 66 | 12.9 | 512 | 100.0 | |||||||
45-64 | 9 | 20.5 | 13 | 29.5 | 7 | 15.9 | 6 | 13.6 | 5 | 11.4 | 4 | 9.1 | 44 | 100.0 | |||||||
65 + | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Female age group | |||||||||||||||||||||
<18 years | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 45.5 | 2 | 18.2 | 2 | 18.2 | 2 | 18.2 | 11 | 100.0 | |||||||
18-24 | 14 | 22.6 | 11 | 17.7 | 5 | 8.1 | 15 | 24.2 | 8 | 12.9 | 9 | 14.5 | 62 | 100.0 | |||||||
25-44 | 18 | 24.3 | 11 | 14.9 | 12 | 16.2 | 10 | 13.5 | 11 | 14.9 | 12 | 16.2 | 74 | 100.0 | |||||||
45-64 | 1 | 10.0 | 3 | 30.0 | 3 | 30.0 | 2 | 20.0 | 1 | 10.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 10 | 100.0 | |||||||
65 + | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | |||||||
All persons age group | |||||||||||||||||||||
<18 years | 29 | 20.1 | 15 | 10.4 | 34 | 23.6 | 24 | 16.7 | 20 | 13.9 | 22 | 15.3 | 144 | 100.0 | |||||||
18-24 | 161 | 24.7 | 122 | 18.7 | 106 | 16.3 | 84 | 12.9 | 97 | 14.9 | 82 | 12.6 | 652 | 100.0 | |||||||
25-44 | 131 | 22.4 | 95 | 16.2 | 106 | 18.1 | 92 | 15.7 | 84 | 14.3 | 78 | 13.3 | 586 | 100.0 | |||||||
45-64 | 10 | 18.5 | 16 | 29.6 | 10 | 18.5 | 8 | 14.8 | 6 | 11.1 | 4 | 7.4 | 54 | 100.0 | |||||||
65 + | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Probation type | |||||||||||||||||||||
Community service | 117 | 24.1 | 95 | 19.5 | 89 | 18.3 | 52 | 10.7 | 64 | 13.2 | 69 | 14.2 | 486 | 100.0 | |||||||
Probation order | 214 | 22.5 | 153 | 16.1 | 167 | 17.6 | 156 | 16.4 | 143 | 15.1 | 117 | 12.3 | 950 | 100.0 | |||||||
Table 4 Re-offenders classified by age group and probation referral offence, 2009 cohort | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Re-offended within three years | Recidivism1 rate (%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age group | Age group | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
<18 | 18-24 | 25-44 | 45-64 | 65 + | All | <18 | 18-24 | 25-44 | 45-64 | 65 + | All | ||||||||||||||
years | ages | years | ages | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total re-offenders | 144 | 652 | 586 | 54 | 0 | 1,436 | 62.3 | 40.8 | 32.8 | 25.1 | 0.0 | 37.4 | |||||||||||||
Probation referral offence | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
01 Homicide offences | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0.0 | - | 0.0 | - | 0.0 | |||||||||||||
02 Sexual offences | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 33.3 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 15.4 | |||||||||||||
03 Attempts/Threats to murder, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
assaults, harassments and related offences | 19 | 82 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 143 | 55.9 | 39.0 | 23.8 | 13.0 | 0.0 | 33.1 | |||||||||||||
04 Dangerous or negligent acts | 3 | 20 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 59 | 100.0 | 31.7 | 24.8 | 13.3 | - | 26.2 | |||||||||||||
05 Kidnapping and related offences | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | - | 100.0 | - | - | 100.0 | |||||||||||||
06 Robbery, extortion and hijacking offences | 2 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 50.0 | 32.3 | 31.6 | 0.0 | - | 32.4 | |||||||||||||
07 Burglary and related offences | 20 | 48 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 118 | 58.8 | 51.1 | 44.8 | 50.0 | - | 49.4 | |||||||||||||
08 Theft and related offences | 37 | 110 | 139 | 18 | 0 | 304 | 59.7 | 45.5 | 37.9 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 41.9 | |||||||||||||
09 Fraud, deception and related offences | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 50.0 | 30.8 | 12.8 | 25.0 | - | 19.7 | |||||||||||||
10 Controlled drug offences | 4 | 109 | 97 | 0 | 0 | 210 | 80.0 | 39.6 | 31.9 | 0.0 | - | 35.6 | |||||||||||||
11 Weapons and explosives offences | 3 | 30 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 52 | 37.5 | 48.4 | 34.9 | 40.0 | - | 42.3 | |||||||||||||
12 Damage to property and to the environment | 20 | 41 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 85 | 71.4 | 36.6 | 27.6 | 37.5 | - | 37.9 | |||||||||||||
13 Public order and other social code offences | 30 | 145 | 109 | 10 | 0 | 294 | 66.7 | 43.4 | 37.3 | 30.3 | 0.0 | 41.7 | |||||||||||||
14 Road and traffic offences (NEC) | 3 | 38 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 86 | 100.0 | 32.8 | 27.3 | 17.6 | - | 29.7 | |||||||||||||
15 Offences against Government, justice | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
procedures and organisation of crime | 2 | 13 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 42 | 100.0 | 38.2 | 38.5 | 28.6 | - | 38.9 | |||||||||||||
16 Offences not elsewhere classified | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0.0 | 0.0 | - | - | 0.0 | |||||||||||||
Not stated | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | 33.3 | 0.0 | - | - | 9.1 | |||||||||||||
- Absolute Zero | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 See Background Notes. |
Introduction
This release provides figures for the re-offending rates of those placed on Probation Orders, and Community Service Orders in the year 2009, (the 2009 cohort). Comparisons with the figures for the 2008 cohort are also provided. These figures were produced using a combination of Garda Síochána and Probation Service records, based on the Irish Crime Classification System (ICCS). The majority of those under probation in relation to sex offences are not included in this analysis. Likewise, when considering re-offending, certain road traffic offences are also excluded.
The term “offences” in this report refers only to crime incidents known to An Garda Síochána and recorded as such in the Garda PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) system. Because of timing issues with respect to the extraction of data, figures may be revised subsequent to this publication.
Data collection
The production of these statistics involved the combination of Garda PULSE and Probation CTS (Case Tracking System) data. Since there is no direct link between the two systems, a statistical matching protocol was devised by the CSO to match Probation and Garda records. For this report, Probation and Community Service Orders from 2009 were linked from Probation CTS to their corresponding entries in the Garda PULSE system. Numerous quality control tests were then conducted to verify the accuracy of this matching system, in addition to various consultations with academics specializing in criminology.
Recidivism/Reoffending
For this report, a re-offender is defined as an individual who committed a recorded offence within three years of commencing probation; and who is convicted in court proceedings that commenced within two years of the offence date. For example, if a person was placed on a Probation or Community Service Order on December 31st 2009, and committed an offence on the December 31st 2012, they would be considered as having re-offended if court proceedings leading to a conviction commenced within a two year period.
Court proceedings leading to a conviction
From Garda PULSE, the court date is used to mark the commencement of criminal proceedings. Court proceedings leading to a conviction do not include those cases where appeals are pending. T he fact that an individual is suspected of committing an offence is not enough evidence for re-offender status to be designated; a conviction must have been secured.
Probation type
This report considers two types of probation: Probation Orders and Community Service Orders. These represent the vast majority of individuals under Probation Service supervision. However, certain categories are not included, most notably sex offender orders.
Crime recording
Incidents reported or which become known to members of An Garda Síochána are recorded when, on the balance of probability, a Garda determines that a criminal offence defined by law has taken place, and there is no credible evidence to the contrary. If it is subsequently determined that a criminal offence did not take place, the criminal offence recorded is invalidated and is not counted in the statistics. If a person makes a report and subsequently withdraws it by stating that the criminal act did not take place, then this too is invalidated unless there is evidence to suggest that, by reasonable probability, the offence has taken place.
For criminal offences where victim confirmation is required (e.g. assault, fraud), a criminal offence is recorded only where the victim confirms the offence or where there is evidence to suggest that by reasonable probability it occurred. Another important feature of a recorded offence is that it is based on the date reported to, or that it became known to, the Gardaí. This has major implications for some offence types. Notable amongst these are sexual offences, as it has often been the case that such incidents have been reported to An Garda Síochána many years (sometimes decades) after the event(s). Thus a sexual assault, which occurred in 1960, would be included in the statistics for 2008 if it was first reported in that year.
Crime Classification
A criminal offence is classified as a particular offence type at the initial recording of that offence. However, upon investigation, it may later become apparent that an alternative offence type should be used. In this event, the record is amended to reflect this. Re-classification on the basis of court proceedings only occurs in relation to homicide offences. A murder offence is reclassified as manslaughter when a charge of manslaughter commences or when a murder charge results in a conviction for manslaughter It is also possible, though more rare, that an incident originally classified as manslaughter may be re-classified as murder. Also, a re-classification to a homicide offence occurs when, for example, a serious assault has been recorded and, some time later, the victim dies as a consequence of the assault.
General Counting Rules
Crime counting rules are applied to all criminal offences for the purposes of the statistics. The following are the main rules relevant to the quarterly figures:
Primary Offence Rule: Where two or more criminal offences are disclosed in a single episode, it is the primary criminal offence that is counted. The primary offence is that offence which the greater penalty may apply. Where offences have similar penalties, offences against the person take precedence over offences against property for the purpose of determining the primary offence.
One Offence Counts Per Victim: One offence counts per victim involved with the exceptions of cheque/credit card fraud and burglary. Under certain circumstances, the cheque/credit card exception necessitates that a series of these offences counts as one crime where the originating bank ultimately suffers the loss. The burglary exception dictates that one burglary offence is counted where property belonging to two or more victims is stolen (or damaged) during a single burglary.
Continuous Series Involving the Same Victim and Same Offender: A continuous series of offences against the same victim involving the same offender counts as one offence.
ICCSq Offence Groups | ||
01 | Homicide offences | Murder |
Manslaughter | ||
Infanticide | ||
Manslaughter (traffic fatality) | ||
Dangerous driving causing death | ||
02 | Sexual offences | Rape of a male or female |
Rape Section 4 | ||
Unlawful carnal knowledge / Criminal law | ||
(Sexual Offences Act) 2006 | ||
Buggery | ||
Sexual offence involving mentally | ||
impaired person | ||
Aggravated sexual assault | ||
Sexual assault | ||
Incest | ||
Child pornography offences | ||
Child pornography – obstruction of warrant | ||
Gross indecency | ||
03 | Attempts or threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences | Murder-attempt |
Murder-threat | ||
Assault causing harm | ||
Poisoning | ||
Assault or obstruction of Garda/official, | ||
resisting arrest | ||
Minor assault | ||
Coercion | ||
Harassment, stalking, threats | ||
Demanding payment of debt causing alarm | ||
Housing Act | ||
Menacing phone calls | ||
Incitement to hatred offences | ||
04 | Dangerous or | Dangerous driving causing serious bodily |
negligent acts | harm | |
Driving/In charge of a vehicle while over | ||
legal alcohol limit | ||
Driving/In charge of a vehicle under the | ||
influence of drugs | ||
Endangerment with potential for serious | ||
harm or death | ||
Abandoning a child, child neglect and | ||
cruelty | ||
Unseaworthy/dangerous use of boat or | ||
ship | ||
False alarm/interference with aircraft or | ||
air transport facilities | ||
Endangering traffic offences | ||
05 | Kidnapping and | False imprisonment |
related offences | Abduction of person under 16 years of | |
age | ||
Human trafficking offences | ||
06 | Robbery, extortion | Robbery of an establishment or institution |
and hijacking | Robbery of cash or goods in transit | |
offences | Robbery from the person | |
Blackmail or extortion | ||
Carjacking, hijacking/unlawful seizure of | ||
aircraft/vessel | ||
07 | Burglary and | Aggravated burglary |
related offences | Burglary (not aggravated) | |
Possession of an article | ||
(with intent to burgle, steal, demand) | ||
08 | Theft and related | Theft/Unauthorised taking of vehicle |
offences | Interfering with vehicle (with intent to | |
steal item or vehicle) | ||
Theft from person | ||
Theft from shop | ||
Theft from vehicle | ||
Theft/ Unauthorised taking of a pedal | ||
cycle | ||
Theft of, or interference with, mail | ||
Handling or possession of stolen property | ||
Theft of other property | ||
09 | Fraud, deception and related offences | Fraud, deception, false pretence offences |
Forging an instrument to defraud | ||
Possession of an article for use in fraud, deception or extortion | ||
Falsification of accounts | ||
Offences under the Companies Act | ||
Offences under the Investment Intermediaries Act | ||
Offences under the Stock Exchange Act | ||
Money laundering | ||
Embezzlement | ||
Fraud against the European Union | ||
Importation/Sale/Supply of tobacco | ||
Counterfeiting notes and coins | ||
Counterfeiting of goods | ||
Bad debts criminal (Debtors Ireland) | ||
Corruption (involving public office holder) | ||
10 | Controlled drug | Importation of drugs |
offences | Cultivation or manufacture of drugs | |
Possession of drugs for sale or supply | ||
Possession of drugs for personal use | ||
Forged or altered prescription offences | ||
Obstruction under the Drugs Act | ||
11 | Weapons and | Causing an explosion |
explosives offences | Making of explosives | |
Possession of explosives | ||
Chemical weapons offences | ||
Discharging a firearm | ||
Possession of a firearm | ||
Possession of offensive weapons | ||
(not firearms) | ||
Fireworks offences (for sale, igniting etc.) | ||
12 | Damage to property and to the environment | Arson |
Criminal damage (not arson) | ||
Litter offences | ||
13 | Public order and other social code offences | Affray/Riot/Violent disorder |
Public order offences | ||
Drunkenness offences | ||
Air rage-disruptive or drunken behaviour | ||
on aircraft | ||
Forcible entry and occupation | ||
(not burglary) | ||
Trespass on lands or enclosed areas | ||
Liquor licensing offences | ||
Registered clubs offences | ||
Special restaurant offences | ||
Provision of intoxicating liquor to under 18 year olds | ||
Purchase or consumption of alcohol by under 18 year olds | ||
Sale of intoxicating liquor to under 18 year olds | ||
Brothel keeping | ||
Organisation of prostitution | ||
Prostitution, including soliciting etc. | ||
Offences under the Betting Acts | ||
Collecting money without permit, | ||
unauthorised collection | ||
Offences under Gaming and Lotteries Acts | ||
Permit/License offences for casual/street | ||
trading | ||
Allowing a child (under 16 years) to beg | ||
Bigamy | ||
Bestiality | ||
Indecency | ||
Begging | ||
14 | Road and traffic offences (NEC) | Driving licence-failure to have, produce, etc. |
Insurance-failure to have, produce, display, etc. | ||
No tax, non-display of tax, unregistered vehicle etc. | ||
Misuse of Trade Licence | ||
Misuse of trailers, weight and other offences | ||
Obstruction under road traffic acts | ||
Other road offences | ||
Road tranport - carriage of goods offences | ||
Public service vehicle offences | ||
Light rail offences (Luas) | ||
15 | Offences against Government, justice procedures and organisation of crime | Treason |
Breaches of Offences Against the State | ||
Acts | ||
Breaches of Official Secrets Act | ||
Impersonating member of An Garda | ||
Síochána | ||
Electoral offences including personation | ||
Public mischief-annoying phone calls, | ||
wasting police time | ||
Criminal Assets Bureau offences | ||
Non compliance with Garda direction | ||
Criminal organisation offences | ||
(organised crime) | ||
Conspiracy to commit a crime | ||
Perjury | ||
Interfering with a jury (embracery) | ||
Assisting offenders | ||
Public mischief, pervert course of justice, conceal offence | ||
Escape or help to escape from custody | ||
Prison offences | ||
Breach of Domestic Violence Order | ||
(protection, safety, barring) | ||
Breach of order under Family Law Act | ||
Breach of bail | ||
Failure to comply under Sex Offenders Act | ||
Other failure to comply with court order, jury summons, warrant etc. |
Scan the QR code below to view this release online or go to
http://www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/er/pror/probationrecidivism2009cohort/