PIOJ survey finds nearly three in 10 Jamaican inmates return to custody

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica’s correctional authorities are grappling with repeat offending after new figures showed 29 inmates returned to prison for a fourth spell and 19 came back on three occasions. Recidivism stands near 27 per cent, a level that has unsettled prison managers, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) reports in its 2025 Economic and Social Survey Jamaica.

“Recidivism remained a concern for the Department of Correctional Services and the Ministry of National Security and Peace,” PIOJ stated.

Across the review period, 153 people were taken back into custody. Men dominated those returns, making up 149 of the 153 cases. The survey found that 78 inmates were back for a first repeat admission and 26 for a second; the number of prior returns for one inmate was not recorded.

There is no single worldwide benchmark for recidivism because definitions and rules differ by jurisdiction. Rates have been put as high as 60 per cent in some places and commonly fall between 18 and 45 per cent.

Even so, efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders carried on, drawing both adult and juvenile participants. PIOJ reported that 531 inmates — 359 adults and 172 children — joined educational programmes, while 541 inmates — 374 adults and 167 children — took part in vocational training.