Probation Re-offending Statistics 2017

Although most probation orders are issued to individuals aged 25-44 (2,936 out of 4,909 in total), the highest proportion of re-offending from individuals who received probation orders in 2017 took place from individuals aged under 18 years old. In this age category 42% re-offended within a year of receiving a probation order. See Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1.

The highest level of re-offending took place by individuals that received probation orders in relation to Public Order and other social code offences. This category of offences mostly contains offences related to threatening and abusive behaviour, failure to comply with direction of Members of An Garda Síochána and intoxication in a public place. Individuals linked to probation orders received for offences related to Sexual (3%) or Kidnapping related offences (6%) were the least likely to re-offend. See Table 3.1 and Figure 3.2.

Individuals that received a Probation Order from court proceedings in 2017 (32%) had a higher tendency to re-offend than individuals who also received a Post Release Supervision Order (17%) or Community Service Order (28%). Post Release Supervision Orders generally include a higher level of supervision and monitoring after release while individuals that receive a Probation Order primarily give undertakings to the court committing to avoid further crime and to obey the conditions of the order. See Table 3.1 and Figure 3.3.

In 2017 the highest level of 1-year probation related re-offending took place from individuals with registered addresses in the Mid-West (34%). This region includes the counties Tipperary, Clare and Limerick. In contrast to the Mid-West, the West region (23%) had the lowest level of 1-year re-offending. See Table 3.2 and Map 3.1.

Probation re-offending that takes place within a year of a probation order being issued mostly takes place within the first 6 months of the orders’ issue date. In total, over two thirds (67%) of re-offences take place during this period with the remaining third taking place within six to twelve months after probation. See Table 3.3 and Figure 3.4.

Individuals that re-offended within a year of receiving their probation orders in 2017 were most likely to re-offend with an offence linked to Road and Traffic offences (23%). In contrast, individuals linked with court convictions relating to Homicide (0.1%) or Sexually related offences (0.1%) were least likely to re-offend. See Table 3.4 and Figure 3.5.

Individuals that re-offended within a year of probation were most likely to receive a custodial sanction for their re-offence if the re-offence was linked to Homicide (100%), Sexual Offences (100%) or Burglary and related offences (68%), although very few re-offences within the Homicide or Sexual related categories took place (2 in total) . Of the 44 individuals who re-offended with a Burglary related offence, thirty (68%)  received a custodial sanction for the re-offence. Re-offences linked to Public Order related re-offences (17%) were least likely to receive a custodial sanction for the re-offence. Overall, re-offences that took place within a year of probation resulted in a custodial sanction 30% of the time. See Table 3.5 and Figure 3.6.

Just over 4 in 10 (43%) of the re-offending that takes place within a year of probation by adults under 25 takes place in just two offence categories, Public order (22%) and Road and Traffic offences (21%). Also, Controlled drug (14%) and Theft and related offences (14%) account for more than a quarter of other re-offending convictions. See Table 3.6.