Recidivism rates for various crime categories and various sanctions were compared for the offenders convicted in the Netherlands in 1966. The results showed that 41 percent of the offenders convicted of serious offenses reappeared in court within 6 years. The recidivism rate of reoffenders for burglary was 68 percent; for those given custodial sentences the rate was 60 percent. For persons committing comparatively major offenses such as theft by multiple offenders and burglary, the special deterrent effect of custodial and noncustodial sentences was the same, while for persons convicted of more minor offenses such as common theft and common assault, an unconditional custodial sentence proved to have less special deterrence than a noncustodial one. However, the findings have to be treated with caution in view of many variables affecting sentencing. Recidivism rates by type of penalty, duration of custodial sentence, type of offense, the offenders' sex, age, and previous criminal career are included.