Proportion and frequency of reconvictions both in decline
The level of reoffending in Scotland is in decline, according to figures published today by the Chief Statistician.

Covering those who offended in 2007-08 and 2008-09, the data show a 1.7% drop in the two year reconviction rate (reoffending within two years of release from custody or imposition of a non-custodial sentence) from 44.1% for the previous year to 42.4% for the 2007-08 group, the lowest level observed since 1997-98.

The one year reconviction rate has declined over the past seven years by 1.9%, from 32.9% in 2002-03 to 31.0% in 2008-09.

Frequency
The bulletin also reports a new measure of reconviction, expressed as the reconviction frequency rate, regarded as a better indicator for measuring the gradual process of desistance from offending. This is the average number of reconvictions (within the follow-up period from the date of the initial conviction) per 100 offenders. The one year reconviction frequency rate has fallen by six reconvictions for every 100 offenders between 2002-03 and 2008-09, from 63.9 to 57.9. In the under 21 age group the figure has come down 93.4 in 1997-98 to 70.3 in 2008-09.

For offenders given drug treatment and testing orders the frequency rate has also fallen, from 240.6 per 100 for 2002-03 offenders to 162.3 for 2008-09.

Offenders released from custodial sentences of three months or less have the highest reconviction frequency rate compared to those released from longer sentences, at 135.3 per 100 compared with 71.5 per 100 for those released from sentences of six months to two years.

Direct measures
In relation to direct measure disposals introduced under summary justice reform, the figures show that 76.9% of police disposals were antisocial behaviour fixed penalty notices, and 28.5% of offenders in 2008-09 were given another non-court disposal within one year. Of Crown Office and procurator fiscal disposals, 57.3% were fiscal fines, and 25.6% of offenders given procurator fiscal disposals were given another non-court disposal within one year.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill described the figures, especially those relating to young offenders, as "encouraging", adding: "What is again made clear by these statistics is that short term prison sentences simply don't work."