Ohio Prisons Report 11-Year Low In Recidivism
Ohio prison officials say the state has hit an 11-year low in the rate of inmates winding up back behind bars after they get out.

olumbus, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio prison officials say the state has hit an 11-year low in the rate of inmates winding up back behind bars after they get out.

The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said Thursday that 34 percent of Ohio inmates now return to prison within three years of release, down from the previous recidivism rate of 36.4 percent.

Department director Gary Mohr says in a statement the decline shows ohio is seeing results from its efforts in staff training, supervising released inmates and other areas.

Officials say Ohio recidivism is below the national average of about 50 percent.

The state's 34 percent rate includes 7 percent of offenders who are sent back to prison on a supervision issue and 27 percent who are returned on a new felony.