Federal Deaths in Custody and During Arrest, 2018-2019 – Statistical Tables

• NCJ Number: 301225
• Author(s): Connor Brooks; Kevin M. Scott
• Date Published: September 2021
• Length: 14 pages
• Agencies: BJS
• Publication Type: Publication

Abstract

This report is the second in a series that examines deaths that occur during federal arrest, detention, and incarceration in the United States. It describes decedent, incident, and facility characteristics of deaths in federal custody and during arrest by federal law enforcement agencies during fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Highlights:

• Federal law enforcement agencies reported 53 arrest-related deaths and 448 deaths in custody in fiscal year (FY) 2018 and 68 arrest-related deaths and 449 deaths in custody in FY 2019.
• Homicides accounted for more than half (56%) of arrest-related deaths during FY 2018-19, and suicides made up about one-fifth (22%).
• During FY 2018-19, about 93% of arrest-related decedents were male, 75% were white, and 78% were ages 25 to 54.
• In more than half (51%) of arrest-related deaths during FY 2018-19, the most serious offense the decedent allegedly committed leading up to the incident was a violent offense.