Statement on Recidivism

Lebanon County Reentry Coalition respects that the definition of recidivism varies across criminal justice agencies nationally and locally and even globally. We recognize that recidivism is not a fixed or universally defined term. Its frequency and measurement may vary based on local context, available community support, societal and cultural shifts, and changes in policy or leadership.

Therefore, the Lebanon County Reentry Coalition defines recidivism as the repeated involvement of an individual with the criminal legal system, including re-arrest and reincarceration, regardless of whether a conviction occurs.

This broader understanding reflects the lived experiences of individuals who, despite having charges dismissed, not resulting in a conviction, or facing technical violations of community supervision, continue to experience the consequences of system re-involvement—such as job loss, housing instability, trauma, and prolonged stigma.

For this reason, The Lebanon County Reentry Coalition views recidivism as a fluid concept shaped by systemic factors, while simultaneously respecting and accepting local and national definitions. Our unique definition aims to capture not only legal outcomes, but the broader social and personal impacts of repeated system contact.