Reconviction Rates in Scotland: 2018-19 Offender Cohort

Analyses of trends in reconviction statistics up to the latest cohort of 2018-19.

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Table 20: Individuals convicted in 2018-19, by sex, age and number and type of previous convictions in 10 years from 2010-11 to 2019-20

1

Number and
type of previous convictions
from 2010-11 to 2019-20
Total Sex Age2 Last sentence in 2019-20
Male Female under 21 21 to 25 26 to 30 31 to 40 over 40 Custody3 Community sentence (CPO, CSO, PO, RLO, DTTO)4 Monetary Other5
Number of persons
with charge proved
32,929 27,413 5,516 2,831 4,725 5,494 10,235 9,644 5,587 10,071 9,257 8,014
All previous convictions6
None 11,239 8,939 2,300 1,595 1,681 1,394 2,760 3,809 758 3,008 3,924 3,549
1 or 2 7,816 6,520 1,296 638 1,170 1,266 2,347 2,395 742 2,735 2,600 1,739
3 to 10 9,370 8,060 1,310 524 1,316 1,838 3,334 2,358 2,140 3,201 2,161 1,868
Over 10 4,504 3,894 610 74 558 996 1,794 1,082 1,947 1,127 572 858
Previous custodial sentences
None 23,577 18,906 4,671 2,532 3,638 3,620 6,611 7,176 1,625 7,675 7,810 6,467
1 or 2 3,854 3,493 361 165 484 718 1,376 1,111 1,238 1,141 788 687
3 to 10 4,233 3,857 376 127 521 893 1,681 1,011 1,946 1,051 574 662
Over 10 1,265 1,157 108 7 82 263 567 346 778 204 85 198
Previous community sentences
None 18,526 15,002 3,524 2,001 2,550 2,581 5,171 6,223 1,941 5,063 6,343 5,179
1 or 2 8,706 7,521 1,185 570 1,196 1,611 3,057 2,272 1,896 3,054 2,032 1,724
3 to 10 5,512 4,750 762 257 945 1,259 1,939 1,112 1,689 1,878 865 1,080
Over 10 185 140 45 3 34 43 68 37 61 76 17 31
Previous solemn convictions7
None 26,492 21,444 5,048 2,567 3,827 4,076 7,821 8,201 2,817 8,501 8,207 6,967
1 or 2 5,290 4,858 432 232 748 1,121 1,963 1,226 2,017 1,375 969 929
3 to 10 1,146 1,110 36 32 150 296 451 217 752 195 81 118
Over 10 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Previous convictions for crimes of violence8
None 26,492 21,444 5,048 2,567 3,827 4,076 7,821 8,201 2,817 8,501 8,207 6,967
1 or 2 5,290 4,858 432 232 748 1,121 1,963 1,226 2,017 1,375 969 929
3 to 10 1,146 1,110 36 32 150 296 451 217 752 195 81 118
Over 10 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0
Previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty9  
None 24,338 20,293 4,045 2,465 3,703 3,867 6,966 7,337 2,895 7,653 7,579 6,211
1 or 2 4,389 3,680 709 282 664 935 1,472 1,036 1,075 1,415 1,035 864
3 to 10 3,037 2,505 532 79 319 548 1,213 878 1,087 761 521 668
Over 10 1,165 935 230 5 39 144 584 393 530 242 122 271
Previous convictions for drug offences
None 26,321 21,584 4,737 2,674 4,028 4,193 7,548 7,878 3,658 8,196 7,774 6,693
1 or 2 5,388 4,747 641 151 607 1,099 2,090 1,441 1,508 1,583 1,259 1,038
3 to 10 1,204 1,067 137 6 90 198 588 322 416 290 221 277
Over 10 16 15 1 0 0 4 9 3 5 2 3 6

1. This table is compiled on a different basis to tables 1-14. It counts individuals convicted in 2019-20 and counts their previous convictions over 10 years. If they were convicted more than once in 2019-20, their final conviction in the year is counted as the index conviction and the earlier convictions are counted as previous convictions.

2. Age as at date of last conviction in 2019-20.

3. Custodial sentence includes: Imprisonment, Young Offenders Institution, Orders for Lifelong Restriction, Extended Sentences, and Supervised Release Orders.

4. Community Sentence refers to Restriction of Liberty Orders (RLO), Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTO), Community Service Orders (CSO), Probation Orders (PO), and Community Payback Orders (CPOs).

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

6. 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.

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

8. Crimes of violence includes common assault, in line with Tables 6 and 7.

9. Crimes of dishonesty includes social security offences, in line with Tables 6 and 7.

Contact

Email: Justice_Analysts@gov.scot

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