Recidivism

What's new?

In focus

Recidivism by year of conviction

In 2020, the FSO revised the standard tables on recidivism. These tables are accompanied by a methodological report, which aims to make the information easier to understand. The publication also examines how it is possible to use the criterion of recidivism to assess the effect of different sentences.

Recidivism analysis

Some 38% of a group of Swiss adults who had been convicted were reconvicted within ten years. More than half (51%) of reoffenders are convicted a third time. Previous convictions, young age or drug dealing increase likelihood of reoffending.

At a glance

Recidivism can be calculated by year of conviction or discharge. In this context, re-offenders are persons who commit an offence in the three years following a conviction or release from a custodial sentence and who are subsequently reconvicted. A record is also made of the special case of persons who are not only reconvicted after discharge from a custodial sentence but also re-imprisoned.

Among adults, the previous conviction and the recidivist conviction must always be due to a felony or misdemeanour. Among juveniles, the convictions can also be made solely on the basis of a contravention (less serious offences).

For this reason, the recidivism rates of juveniles and adults cannot be compared with one another.

Recidivism rate by reference year
  Reconviction after a conviction1)2) Reconviction after release3) Reimprisonment after release4)
Reference year 2019 2017 2017
Adults convicted 53 462 *
*
Adults released * 1 332 1 332
Recidivist adults 17.2% 49.9% 24.2%
     

male

18.0% 49.2% 23.6%

female

14.1% 54.8% 28.3%
     

18 - 24 years

21.1% 57.5% 24.8%

25 - 34 years

 

18.7%

54.2% 29.5%

35 - 44 years

54.1% 26.5%

45 years and older

13.7% 38.2% 15.3%
     

No criminal history

12.6% 40.5% 12.8%

One previous conviction

26.5% 38.2% 16.5%

At least two previous convictions

41.6% 65.7% 37.9%
     

Violent crime5)

19.8% 41.0% 17.1%

Theft6)

29.1% 64.8% 38.1%

Serious violation of RTA

8.3%

 

38.3%

 

10.3%

Drink driving

11.2%

Trafficking in narcotic substances8)

25.4% 38.1% 18.2%
Recidivism rate by reference year
  Reconviction after a conviction1)2)
Reference year 2013
Minors convicted 6 655
Recidivist minors 31.3%
 

male

34.8%

female

13.6%
 

10 - 14 years

23.3%

15 - 16 years

32.6%

17 years

34.3%
 

No criminal history

25.2%

One previous conviction

47.1%

At least two previous convictions

66.3%
 

Violent crime5)

40.0%

Theft6)

37.1%

Road traffic offence7)

*

Trafficking in narcotic substances8)

38.3%
1) The term re-offender applies to persons who commit a felony or misdemeanour in the three years following a conviction and who are subsequently reconvicted.
2) The term re-offender applies to persons who commit a felony or misdemeanour within three years of a conviction and who are reconvicted.
3) The term re-offender applies to Swiss adults who commit a felony or misdemeanour leading to another conviction within three years of a conviction or release from a custodial sentence.
4) The term reimprisoned is applied to Swiss adults who, within three years of release from a custodial sentence, commit a felony or misdemeanour leading to another conviction and their subsequent imprisonment.
5) Intentional homicide (art. 111 SCC), murder (art. 112 SCC), manslaughter (art. 113, SCC), infanticide (art. 116 SCC), grievous bodily harm (art 122 SCC), common assault (art. 123 SCC), affray (art. 133 SCC), armed robbery (art. 140, SCC), extortion and blackmail (art. 156, SCC), threatening behaviour (art. 180, SCC), coercion (art. 181, SCC), false imprisonment and abduction (art. 183-184), hostage taking (art, 185, SCC), indecent assault (art. 189, SCC), rape (art. 1980, SCC) or violence or threats against public authorities (art. 285, SCC).
6) Art. 139 SCC
7) All offences under the Road Traffic Act (RTA)
8) Art. 19 NarcA
Sources:
Statistics on criminal conviction of minors (JUSUS), state of the database: 05.06.2020
Criminal conviction statistics (SUS), state of the Register of Criminal Conduct: 31.08.2023
Statistics on the Execution of Custodial Sentences (SVS), state of the database: 18.10.2022

Methodological documents

Publication to be downloaded in German

Publication to be downloaded in French


Further information

Tables

Graphs

Press releases

On this topic

Recidivism analysis

In addition to the annually published recidivism rates, the FSO also wishes to make available results obtained via monitoring a cohort.

Contact

Federal Statistical Office Section Crime and Criminal Justice
Espace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland

Contact

Remark

Our English pages offer only a limited range of information on our statistical production. For our full range please consult our pages in French and German (top right hand screen).

https://www.bfs.admin.ch/content/bfs/en/home/statistics/crime-criminal-justice/recidivism.html