NCJ Number
176663
Date Published
1999
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This paper addresses the role of the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) in monitoring deaths in custody on a national basis and presents a descriptive overview of indigenous and nonindigenous deaths in custody between 1980 and 1998.
Abstract
Since 1992, the AIC has been monitoring indigenous and nonindigenous deaths in prison and policy custody, custody- related police operations, and juvenile detention. A record 103 persons died in custody throughout Australia in 1997. There was a significant increase in the number of deaths of nonindigenous people, a 44-percent increase from 1996 to 1997. In 1998, the total number of deaths in custody fell by 10 to 93 people; 24 of these deaths occurred in police custody or custody-related police operations, 68 deaths occurred in prison custody, and 1 youth died in a juvenile detention center. Aboriginal people were significantly overrepresented in the number of custodial deaths during 1998. Nationally, indigenous adults represented less than 2 percent of the adult population but they comprised about 19 percent of the total prison population. In 1998, 13 percent of all prison deaths involved Aboriginal people and 25 percent of all police custody deaths involved Aboriginal people. Those who died in police custody ranged in age from 15 to 50 years, while those who died in prison custody ranged in age from 18 to 78 years. Hanging was the most frequent cause of death. Other causes of death included natural causes, external or multiple injuries, weapons, assault, and self-inflicted or accidental drug toxicity. The highest number of custodial deaths occurred among people whose most serious offense was robbery, followed by assault, sex offenses, and homicide. Between 1980 and 1998, the most frequent cause of death was suicide, and hanging represented more than 91 percent of all prison suicides. Death from natural causes was the most prominent cause of death for indigenous prisoners, followed closely by suicide. Homicide accounted for more than 7 percent of all prison deaths during the 19-year period, and 11 percent of prison deaths were accidental. Additional studies being conducted by the AIC to investigate custody deaths, especially among special needs inmates, are noted. 1 table and 4 figures