Of course, you and I know that "ex-convict" is the word that
is used to describe a former prisoner. But what will that former prisoner be
called if he or she is arrested again, especially for the same criminal
behaviour? Will he or she still be described as an ex-convict? I
don't think so because the English dictionary has provided an appropriate term
for him or her, and to put the record straight, he or she must be described
with the correct term. What is this term?
Well, someone who keeps
going back and forth from prison for committing a crime, especially for the
same criminal behaviour, is called a recidivist. A recidivist is a
person who continues to commit crimes even after being caught and punished. This
person is a repeat offender. He or she doesn't get tired of committing crimes
regardless of the previous prison experience. Lol!
Sentence example:
The prisoners were
arrested alongside five recidivists.
Recidivist is pronounced
approximately as /re-si-di-vist/.
In sum, use convict, inmate or prisoner to
describe a person who is guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence in prison.
Use ex-convict to describe a former prisoner or one who has
just been released from prison. But if a former prisoner or an ex-convict still
continues in his or her criminal activities and consequently returns to prison,
he or she should be called a recidivist. For the purpose of
clarity, this should always be considered.