Here, then, is a steady increase, checked only in the last 15 years by the law of May 27th, 1885, upon recidivism.

The following table shows recidivism for certain offenses.[312]

Crimes and Misdemeanors.Percentage of Recidivists among Convicts.
1881–85.1886–90.1891–95.1896–1900.
Drunkenness 81 79 79 86
Vagabondage 73 78 79 82
Mendicity 72 77 75 80
Assaults upon parents, etc. 69 63 55 80
Aggravated theft 73 77 79 79
Counterfeiting 50 54 57 55
Insults and violence to public officials 48 50 51 51
Obtaining money under false pretenses 51 50 51 50[[524]]
Homicide 42 50 52 50
Murder 46 44 44 48
Arson 53 50 52 46
Theft 47 51 47 46
Serious assaults 40 35 42 46
Domestic theft 47 45 42 44
Forgery 37 43 46 44
Fraudulent bankruptcy 33 26 31 44
Misdemeanor connected with fishing 35 39 39 41
Breach of trust 41 43 41 39
Offenses connected with hunting 26 32 34 38
Minor assaults 32 36 35 35
Offenses against morals 31 30 32 31
Maltreatment of children 32 25 21 25
Infanticide 7 6 8 7

Here are the figures for

Italy, 1876–1889.[313]

Years.Percentage of Recidivists among those arraigned Before.
Assizes.Correctional tribunals.
1876 10.4 —
1877 11.2 —
1878 13.2 —
1879 20.7 —
1880 21.5 —
1881 26.5 20.2
1882 28.8 21.1
1883 29.4 22.6
1884 32.8 23.6
1885 34.7 27.6
1886 34.0 27.8
1887 36.0 32.2
1888 32.2 30.6
1889 36.3 32.3

In Italy also, then, there is a constant increase of recidivism (except in 1888). [[525]]

In conclusion, here are the figures for the

Netherlands, 1896–1901.[314]

Years.Convicts.Recidivists.Percentage of Recidivists.Percentage of Convicts who had been Convicted.
Once.2 to 5 times.6 times or more.
1896 17,205 5,097 29.6 17.1 10.3 2.2
1897 16,832 5,566 33.0 19.6 11.6 1.8
1898 16,368 5,997 36.6 21.2 13.2 2.2
1899 15,631 6,092 38.9 20.7 15.4 2.8
1900 15,169 6,048 39.8 20.3 16.2 3.3