[ri-sid-uh-viz-uh
m] 
| 1. | repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime. |
| 2. | Psychiatry. the chronic tendency toward repetition of criminal or antisocial behavior patterns. |
| re·cid·i·vism (rĭ-sĭd'ə-vĭz'əm) n. A tendency to recidivate. [From recidivist, one who recidivates, from French récidiviste, from récidiver, to relapse, from Medieval Latin recidīvāre, from Latin recidīvus, falling back, from recidere, to fall back : re-, re- + cadere, to fall; see kad- in Indo-European roots.] re·cid'i·vist n., re·cid'i·vis'tic, re·cid'i·vous adj. |
recidivism re·cid·i·vism (rĭ-sĭd'ə-vĭz'əm)
n.
A tendency to lapse into a previous pattern of behavior, especially a pattern of criminal habits.
The relapse of a disease or symptom. Also called recidivation.
recidivism
tendency toward chronic criminal behaviour leading to numerous arrests and re-imprisonment. Studies of the yearly intake of prisons, reformatories, and jails in the United States and Europe show that from one-half to two-thirds of those imprisoned have served previous sentences in the same or in other institutions. The conclusion is that the criminal population is made up largely of those for whom criminal behaviour has become habitual; moreover, penal institutions appear to do little to change their basic behaviour patterns
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