TechnologyAugust 24, 2026

recidivism

ri-SID-uh-viz-um

Definition

The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior after having been released or punished.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'recidivus', meaning 'falling back', it entered English in the 19th century through the study of criminal behavior and penal policy.

In the news

The article cites recidivism risk assessment instruments as an example of AI-driven technology that, if poorly validated, can lead to biased or unreliable outcomes in the justice system.

AI: The next command challenge in policing

Read the full article ↗

Police1

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