Reconviction rates in Scotland: 2014-2015 offender cohort

Analysis of trends in reconviction statistics up to the latest cohort of 2014 to 2015.

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Table 15: Individuals convicted in 2015-16, by gender, age and number and type of previous convictions in 10 years from 2006-07 to 2015-16

(see notes 1 and 2)

Number and
type of previous convictions from 2005-06 to 2015-16
Total Gender Age 2 (Last) sentence in 2015-16
Male Female under 21 21 to 25 26 to 30 31 to 40 over 40 Custody Community sentence ( CPO, CSO, PO, RLO, DTTO) 3 Monetary Other 4
Number of persons
with charge proved
45,230 37,222 8,008 4,884 8,010 7,790 12,225 12,321 6,603 11,946 15,551 11,130
All previous convictions 5
None 16,459 12,831 3,628 2,721 2,770 2,113 3,540 5,315 935 3,581 6,592 5,351
1 or 2 10,838 8,929 1,909 1,171 2,017 1,797 2,813 3,040 818 3,209 4,359 2,452
3 to 10 12,238 10,500 1,738 882 2,241 2,477 3,780 2,858 2,457 3,835 3,641 2,305
Over 10 5,695 4,962 733 110 982 1,403 2,092 1,108 2,393 1,321 959 1,022
Previous custodial sentences
None 33,757 26,810 6,947 4,349 6,156 5,349 8,208 9,695 2,078 9,192 13,211 9,276
1 or 2 4,824 4,352 472 290 801 939 1,548 1,246 1,386 1,318 1,308 812
3 to 10 5,146 4,673 473 238 886 1,109 1,846 1,067 2,235 1,200 894 817
Over 10 1,503 1,387 116 7 167 393 623 313 904 236 138 225
Previous community sentences
None 27,617 22,105 5,512 3,472 4,523 4,115 6,829 8,678 2,288 6,410 11,117 7,802
1 or 2 11,111 9,559 1,552 1,016 1,976 2,100 3,420 2,599 2,202 3,591 3,182 2,136
3 to 10 6,286 5,394 892 394 1,455 1,502 1,919 1,016 2,044 1,874 1,217 1,151
Over 10 216 164 52 2 56 73 57 28 69 71 35 41
Previous solemn convictions 6
None 37,865 30,439 7,426 4,489 6,656 6,055 9,769 10,896 3,752 10,233 13,892 9,988
1 or 2 6,276 5,724 552 372 1,162 1,388 2,086 1,268 2,194 1,542 1,527 1,013
3 to 10 1,086 1,056 30 23 191 346 369 157 656 171 132 127
Over 10 3 3 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 2
Previous convictions for crimes of violence
None 41,125 33,539 7,586 4,643 7,053 6,620 11,014 11,795 5,027 10,948 14,674 10,476
1 or 2 3,936 3,527 409 239 894 1,097 1,189 517 1,471 962 862 641
3 to 10 169 156 13 2 63 73 22 9 105 36 15 13
Over 10                      
Previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty
None 33,630 27,512 6,118 4,237 6,037 5,366 8,136 9,854 3,214 8,891 12,681 8,844
1 or 2 6,133 5,164 969 488 1,281 1,307 1,802 1,255 1,368 1,814 1,768 1,183
3 to 10 3,943 3,284 659 157 602 829 1,511 844 1,323 943 897 780
Over 10 1,524 1,262 262 2 90 288 776 368 698 298 205 323
Previous convictions for drug offences
None 36,668 29,700 6,968 4,653 6,889 5,964 8,760 10,402 4,430 9,699 12,951 9,588
1 or 2 6,917 6,056 861 218 1,021 1,519 2,634 1,525 1,665 1,859 2,163 1,230
3 to 10 1,623 1,445 178 13 100 303 816 391 500 386 432 305
Over 10 22 21 1 0 0 4 15 3 8 2 5 7

1. This table is compiled on a different basis to tables 1-12; using individuals convicted in 2015-16, and counting their previous convictions over 10 years.

2. Age as at date of last conviction in 2015-16.

3. Community Sentence refers to Restriction of Liberty Orders, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, Community Service Orders, Probation Orders and Community Payback Orders ( CPOs).

4. The 'Other' category includes Supervised Attendance Orders. It also includes: remit to children's hearing; community reparation order; caution; admonition; absolute discharge; insanity; guardianship; and hospital order.

5. Convictions for crimes, and offences of common assault, breach of the peace, racially aggravated conduct or harassment, firearms offences or social security offences. Excludes convictions outside of Scotland.

6. Convictions in the high court or in a sheriff and jury court.

Contact

Email: Mariken Schipper

Phone: 0300 244 4000 – Central Enquiry Unit

The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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