Reporting recidivism rates: The criterion and follow-up issues

Although the topic of recidivism invariably elicits much interest, there appears to be considerable conflict and uncertainty as to even crude estimates of the recidivism rate for persons released from prison. The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which this apparent confusion may be explained by different methodological choices of criterion measure or length of follow-up. Through the cooperation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, rap sheet follow-up information for a six-year period was obtained for a relatively large random sample of federal prisoners released in 1970. This data enabled calculation of recidivism rates using various criterion measures and follow-up periods applied to the same sample. The effect of varying these definitions on the recidivism rate obtained can then be directly observed.     

Studies and observations on the use of isoelectric focusing in ultra-thin polyacrylamide gels as a method of typing human red cell phosphoglucomutase

The technique of isoelectric focusing in ultra-thin polyacrylamide gels as a method of typing human red cell phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) has been studied. Typing was possible without the samples attaining true equilibrium focusing conditions. The isozyme patterns so obtained were clearly defined and free from distortion. The importance of assessing relative band intensities when interpreting the isozyme patterns is discussed. Our experience of using the technique to analyse casework material is described.