PUBLICATION ADVISORY

BJS Releases Federal Deaths in Custody and During Arrest, 2021 – Statistical Tables

The Bureau of Justice Statistics, in the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, today released Federal Deaths in Custody and During Arrest, 2021 – Statistical Tables. The report presents statistics on deaths that occur during federal arrest, detention, and incarceration in the United States.

This report is the fourth in a series in response to the Death in Custody Reporting Act (DCRA) of 2013 (P.L. 113–242) that requires federal law enforcement agencies to report information about the death of any person who dies while detained, under arrest, being arrested, or in the custody of federal law enforcement officers. It describes decedent, incident, and facility characteristics of deaths in federal custody and during arrest by federal law enforcement agencies during fiscal year 2021.

“Federal law enforcement agencies reported an increase in arrest-related deaths, with 105 deaths in 2021, up from 65 in 2020. Deaths in custody remained stable, with 614 deaths in 2020 and 613 in 2021,” said Kevin M. Scott, PhD, acting director of BJS.

About the Bureau of Justice Statistics

The Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice is the principal federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating reliable statistics on crime and criminal justice in the United States. Kevin M. Scott, PhD, is the acting director. More information about BJS and criminal justice statistics can be found at bjs.ojp.gov.

About the Office of Justice Programs

The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation’s capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its components can be found at www.ojp.gov.

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OFFICE: bjs.ojp.gov
CONTACT: OJP Media at ojpmedia@usdoj.gov