Which term describes the habitual relapse into crime?

The term that accurately describes the habitual relapse into crime is "recidivism." This word originates from the Latin "recidivus," meaning "falling back," and is commonly used in the criminal justice context to refer to individuals who revert to criminal behavior after having previously been punished or rehabilitated. Recidivism is often discussed in relation to the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs and the strategies that can be implemented to reduce reoffending rates.

The other options represent different concepts. "Reformation" refers to the process of making changes to improve something, generally aiming for moral improvement or behavior modification. "Deterrence" relates to strategies or measures taken to discourage someone from committing a crime, based on the belief that the threat of punishment will prevent behavior. Consequently, while these terms are relevant to discussions surrounding crime and rehabilitation, they do not specifically capture the idea of a habitual return to criminal activity as effectively as "recidivism."