One in four returns to crime
LAW AND ORDER But recidivism rate of 25.1% in 2006 represents 'excellent result' when compared to other countries: Shanmugam ----- Leong Wee Keat, weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg RECIDIVISM, which measures the rate of ex-offenders returning to crime, climbed slightly for those released in 2006. One out of every four ex-offenders went back to crime within two years of their release. This increase marks the second consecutive year relapse rates have climbed: after falling from 31.2 per cent in 2002 to 23.7 per cent in 2004, re-offending rates climbed to 24.2 per cent and 25.1 per cent for the next two years. Still, the recidivism rate for 2006 represents "an excellent result", when compared with similar penal systems in other developed countries , said Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam yesterday. Calling it "unrealistic" to expect the recidivism rate to continuously decrease each year, Mr Shanmugam said the decreasing trend would oft...