The Department of Corrections recently posted “Reasons for Return” on its website, an examination of what happened to 1,095 offenders released from state prison in 2007. The list of convicts included 515 who returned to prison within three years, a 47 percent recidivism rate for that period.

An additional 30 percent returned to prison for violating the conditions of their parole, known as technical violations, and 10 percent returned for absconding from supervision. For 15 percent, the reasons were not available.

The report also noted that 60 percent of the offenders who returned on new sentences were convicted of more than one crime; 21 percent were convicted of three or more crimes.

Of the 38 percent returned to prison after being arrested while on supervision, 25 percent were charged with violent crimes, 21 percent with property crimes, 14 percent with drug crimes, 33 percent with public order crimes such as driving while intoxicated, habitual offender, resisting arrest and failing to register as a sex offender.

Of the 6 percent who returned within three years to serve new sentences, 25 percent were returned for violent crimes ranging from robbery to negligent homicide; 21 percent for property crimes; 14 percent for drug crimes; and 33 percent for crime of public order.