NCRB REPORT: Chandigarh has high return to crime, shows data

The NCRB report states that a total of 3,817 persons were arrested in 2015 by the city police out of which 2,117 were first-time criminals. The total percentage of recidivism in the city is 44.5 per cent, third-highest in the country. In 2015 the percentage of recidivism, however, dipped as compared to 2014 when the percentage was 49.5 per cent.

Last year out of the total number of arrested criminals as many as 1,378 criminals were convicted once, 230 of whom were convicted twice while 92 were those were convicted thrice in different cases.

The Chandigarh Police on August 7 had arrested two snatchers identified as Sanjeev alias Deepu and Sheeshpal alias Kalu, who are “habitual offenders.” They were arrested twice by the police in past for thefts and snatchings.

The police cite multiple reasons for the high percentage of recidivism, of which drug addiction is among the main ones. Unemployment is also considered one of the reasons.

Dr Upneet Lalli, director, Institute of Correctional Administration, said, “Suppose a criminal is a drug addict. Then, after completing his sentence, there are chances that he might commit another crime for sustaining his drug habit. Sometimes, their companions do not allow them to leave crime.”

She added that imparting skill training to make offenders self-dependent could help them in staying away from crime.

UT Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sukchain Singh Gill said the police come across many who are habitual offenders. He added that the criminals need proper counselling that may change their mindsets but sometimes they repeat the crime due to their “society environment.”