Deaths in custody in Australia: 2002 National Deaths in Custody Program (NDICP) annual report

Abstract

The National Deaths in Custody Program (NDICP) records information on all deaths in custody in Australia since 1980. This report presents detailed tabulated information on deaths in custody in Australia for the year 2002 and also provides jurisdictional breakdowns for comparative purposes. During 2002 there were a total of 69 deaths in police and prison custody, including 14 Indigenous deaths. There were no deaths in juvenile detention in Australia during 2002. The total of 69 deaths in custody represents a decline from the 87 deaths recorded during 2001 and is the lowest overall figure recorded since 1992. The report also contains information on the causes and manner of deaths in custody, noting that in 2002 there were no Indigenous deaths as a result of hanging in either police, prison or juvenile custody, the first year such an outcome has ever been recorded by the NDICP.