Reconviction rates in Scotland: 2016-2017 offender cohort

This publication provides analyses of trends in reconviction statistics up to the latest cohort of 2016 to 2017.


Table 20: Individuals convicted in 2017-18, by gender, age and number and type of previous convictions in 10 years from 2008-09 to 2017-181

Number and
type of previous convictions
from 2008-09 to 2017-18
Total Gender Age2 (Last) sentence in 2017-18
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
37,191 30,707 6,484 3,658 5,941 6,182 10,796 10,614 5,957 10,383 11,608 9,243
All previous convictions6
None 12,877 10,097 2,780 2,004 1,927 1,571 2,996 4,379 793 3,094 4,826 4,164
1 or 2 8,984 7,429 1,555 915 1,493 1,482 2,478 2,616 785 2,808 3,363 2,028
3 to 10 10,338 8,852 1,486 637 1,759 1,980 3,415 2,547 2,190 3,388 2,648 2,112
Over 10 4,992 4,329 663 102 762 1,149 1,907 1,072 2,189 1,093 771 939
Previous custodial sentences
None 27,145 21,605 5,540 3,286 4,479 4,137 7,057 8,186 1,802 8,026 9,789 7,528
1 or 2 4,145 3,746 399 193 591 778 1,444 1,139 1,256 1,141 988 760
3 to 10 4,538 4,105 433 175 747 947 1,671 998 2,060 1,018 717 743
Over 10 1,363 1,251 112 4 124 320 624 291 839 198 114 212
Previous community sentences
None 21,587 17,323 4,264 2,564 3,132 3,036 5,707 7,148 2,047 5,362 8,027 6,151
1 or 2 9,583 8,219 1,364 801 1,536 1,814 3,095 2,337 1,993 3,127 2,514 1,949
3 to 10 5,820 5,012 808 286 1,241 1,269 1,928 1,096 1,842 1,829 1,039 1,110
Over 10 201 153 48 7 32 63 66 33 75 65 28 33
Previous solemn convictions7
None 30,333 24,398 5,935 3,330 4,793 4,665 8,329 9,216 3,163 8,807 10,255 8,108
1 or 2 5,776 5,250 526 298 970 1,219 2,043 1,246 2,097 1,433 1,249 997
3 to 10 1,080 1,057 23 30 177 297 424 152 695 143 104 138
Over 10 2 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 0
Previous convictions for crimes of violence8
None 23,948 19,433 4,515 2,867 3,439 3,237 6,541 7,864 2,433 6,412 8,356 6,747
1 or 2 10,117 8,560 1,557 686 1,830 2,043 3,309 2,249 2,211 3,217 2,713 1,976
3 to 10 3,094 2,692 402 105 669 894 930 496 1,294 749 535 516
Over 10 32 22 10 0 3 8 16 5 19 5 4 4
Previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty9
None 27,437 22,603 4,834 3,197 4,467 4,282 7,197 8,294 2,951 7,885 9,437 7,164
1 or 2 5,079 4,275 804 358 926 1,074 1,570 1,151 1,201 1,438 1,333 1,107
3 to 10 3,382 2,792 590 100 492 637 1,330 823 1,211 815 671 685
Over 10 1,293 1,037 256 3 56 189 699 346 594 245 167 287
Previous convictions for drug offences
None 29,816 24,258 5,558 3,473 5,043 4,793 7,720 8,787 3,951 8,410 9,637 7,818
1 or 2 5,905 5,156 749 177 802 1,148 2,350 1,428 1,519 1,641 1,626 1,119
3 to 10 1,451 1,274 177 8 96 238 715 394 480 331 340 300
Over 10 19 19 0 0 0 3 11 5 7 1 5 6

1. This table is compiled on a different basis to tables 1-14. It counts individuals convicted in 2016-17 and counts their previous convictions over 10 years. If they were convicted more than once in 2017-18, 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 2016-17.

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, Drug Treatment and Testing Orders, Community Service Orders, Probation Orders 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

Back to top