A large body of literature has been dedicated to understanding re-offending after release
from prison - a phenomenon known as recidivism. Such research is critical both to
understanding the determinants of crime and optimizing the correctional system. A meta-analysis
was conducted using 49 published studies on actuarial predictors of both violent and
non-violent recidivism in men and women. The current analysis resulted in 65 effect sizes
between violent recidivists and non-recidivists, and 60 effect sizes between violent recidivists
with non-violent recidivists. Several variables (drug/alcohol use, age, and marriage) were
predictive of recidivism. Gender differences were also observed. In men, increased violent
criminal history was associated with increased violent recidivism. In women, a younger age at
first offence and longer sentences were predictive of violent re-offending. Despite limited data
on women, pursuing the predictors of recidivism is a rewarding avenue of research which can
lead to many possibilities within this field
