Imprisonment increases reoffending compared with non-custodial sentences.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

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1 source for · 0 against

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Is it true that Imprisonment increases reoffending compared with non-custodial sentences?

Yes. A comprehensive meta-analysis of 116 studies reports that custodial sanctions have a weak criminogenic effect on reoffending, indicating imprisonment slightly increases reoffending relative to non-custodial sanctions. A separate review protocol notes the comparison remains unresolved due to uncontrolled variables.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 1 source for, 0 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

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Evidence for · 1

A Revolving Door? A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Custodial Sanctions on Reoffending

2020

Get citation

Petrich, D. M., Pratt, T., Jonson, C., & Cullen, F. (2020). A Revolving Door? A Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Custodial Sanctions on Reoffending. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/f6uwm

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