Data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that there has been a steady increase in recidivism — tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend — in the Capital over the past three years till 2016.
However, top cop Amulya Patnaik said the Delhi Police data so far showed a decline in the number of repeat offenders in 2017, at least in the heinous crimes category.
According to NCRB data, the percentage of recidivists increased to 17.1% in 2016 from 15.8% in 2015 and 14.2% in 2014. The data states that 93,168 persons were arrested in 2016. Of these, 15,905 were repeat offenders who were convicted at least once in the past. Of 70,023 arrests in 2015, 11,052 were repeat offenders.
The number stood at 9,088 of 63,786 in 2014. The data also showed an increase in the number of juvenile repeat offenders — 268 in 2016, 243 in 2015 and 214 in 2014.
However, the number of new offenders among adults and juveniles are also on the rise. In 2016, the number of new offenders was 77,253 compared to 58,971 in 2015 and 54,698 in 2014. The number of juveniles apprehended for the first time was 3,540 in 2015 compared to 2,796 in 2015 and 2,333 in 2014.
Decline in numbers
The Police Commissioner said their crime data for 2017 so far suggests a decline in the number of repeat offenders because of measures taken this year.
“The police have taken several measures this year. First, a record of habitual offenders is maintained and beat officers keep a check on them. Secondly, externment proceedings by Deputy Commissioners of Police. Repeat offenders are called to the DCP office for a hearing and asked to explain what they have been doing,” he said, adding that the police have been registering cases under more serious sections like the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against repeat offenders.
“The police also take a release list from prisons to keep a check on such offenders,” he said.
According to the Delhi Police’s data, the percentage of habitual offenders, at least in heinous crimes, has dipped.
Mr. Patnaik said 23 repeat offenders have been arrested in murder cases in 2017 so far against 57 in 2016. In the category of attempt to murder cases, 26 repeat offenders have been arrested in 2017 so far compared to 76 last year and only four repeat offenders were arrested for rape this year against 22 in 2016, Mr. Patnaik said.
Counselling needed
While the police are taking strict measures to curb recidivism, Delhi-based criminal psychologist Anuja Kapur said arrestees need counselling inside prison to reduce the number of repeat offenders.
“Prisoners needs proper counselling and there is negligible presence of professional help on that front,” she said.
Clinical and criminal psychologist Rajat Mitra, however, said counselling helps little in the case of repeat offenders.
“There is a reason for an increase in repeat offenders. It is because there are not scared of punishment. What law enforcement agencies need to do is keep a close watch on offenders and prevent crimes, like it happens in other countries. Also, they need to carry out investigations in a diligent manner so that offenders don’t get away with crimes,” he said.
