NCJ Number
175309
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper presents statistical information on the deaths of youths under age 21 years in police and prison custody and juvenile detention in Australia during 1980-92.
Abstract
These youths accounted for approximately 13 percent of the total number of custodial deaths. The 20 Aboriginal youths who died included 9 in police custody, 7 in prison, and 4 in juvenile detention. The five females who died included three in police custody, one in prison, and one in juvenile detention. A high proportion of the young people who died in prison custody were held on remand. Many of those who died in prison custody were detained for offenses against the person. In contrast, most of those who died in police custody were held in relation to less serious offenses, including five youths whose most serious offense was public drunkenness. The majority of those who died in juvenile detention were held in relation to property offenses. Hanging was the manner of death in 71 percent of the cases; 74 percent of the deaths were self-inflicted. The fluctuations in the annual numbers of custodial deaths of youths indicate no real trend. An introduction notes that the findings regarding the high proportion of self-inflicted deaths highlights the need for the expanded use of alternatives to custody wherever possible and of program in custodial settings to reduce the stress and feelings of helplessness that must underlie many of these premature deaths. Tables and 5 references