RECIDIVISTS, in law, offenders who re lapse into former criminality. Statistics show that a large percentage of persons convicted of crime are old offenders,. or recidivists. Figures differ in various countries and in various parts of the same country as to the percentage. Per haps at least 40 per cent is the average, but in some countries as high as 70 per cent has been reported. It is quite probable that more than half the serious crimes committed to-day in the United States and in other civilized countries as well are committed by recidivists, who have adopted crime as a profession. Modern penal systems have proved unable to cope with the evil by present-day methods, and it is admitted that a change is imperative. Indefinite terms of imprisonment have been suggested and are WI adopted in many countries to meet the con tion. In the United Kingdom, by the Prevention of Crime Act of 1908, the courts have been empowered to add a further period of from 5 to 10 years on habitual criminals in addition to a sentence of penal servitude.
In the United States the indefinite term has been accepted also as one method to combat the evil of recidivism, and the general tendency in some States is in this direction. However, in other States there seems to be a strong sen timent growing in favor of supplying industrial training for criminals while in prison and secur ing employment for them on their discharge. In addition to these methods, segregation of defectives, who make up a considerable part of the inmates of prisons, and organized care of penniless children, whether orphaned or de serted, from among whose ranks many crim inals are later developed, are advocated and are being put into effect. This is attacking the problem at its source, and its general adoption would, it is believed, lead to a great decrease in crime. See PENOLOGY.