NCJ Number
144434
Date Published
1993
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper examines custodial death as an extreme outcome of juvenile detention in Australia, based on data for the 1980-1992 period.
Abstract
During the 13-year period, nine young people died in juvenile detention, and all but one were male. Aboriginal youths were over-represented in the number of deaths. The age of those who died in juvenile detention ranged from 14 to 19 years. Self-inflicted deaths by hanging were the most common, accounting for five of the nine deaths. Two deaths were attributed to natural causes, and two were due to accidents. The length of time people spent in detention prior to their deaths varied greatly, from less than 5 minutes to just over 6 months. In terms of identifying youths at particular risk, five juveniles who died faced uncertain periods of detention as remandees or wards of the state held on indeterminate sentences. The author believes the key principle to follow in reducing the risk of custodial deaths involves the use of detention only as a sanction of last resort for juvenile offenders. Brief case histories of the juveniles who died are included. 17 references and 3 tables