Deaths in custody

doi:10.1136/bmj.39546.635729.80

BMJ 2008;336:845-846 (19 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.39546.635729.80

Editorials

Deaths in custody

The risk factors are known, but public policy is lagging behind

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The excess risk of death for offenders is a public health concern.International comparisons of deaths in penal institutions publishedby the Council of Europe show wide variability in rates of overallmortality and suicide, sentencing policy, and rates of incarcerationbetween countries.¹ However, rates of suicide are significantlyhigher in prison populations than in free living populationsworldwide.² ³ ⁴ ⁵ These findings suggest that referral to prisonmay not be appropriate for some people and identify gaps inknowledge for healthcare professionals and policy makers.

The recent increase in suicide (registered as self inflicteddeath) rates in prisoners in England and Wales comes againsta background of a steady and downward trend since the turn ofthe century (table), despite increases in the prison populationfrom around 60 000 in the late 1990s to just over 80 000 bythe end of 2007. Deaths from natural causes have risen during. . . [Full text of this article]