719 people have died in Australia’s prisons during the 18-year period, 1 January 1980 to 31 December 1997. The largest increase in the number of deaths per year was between 1996 and 1997, when prison deaths increased by 44 per cent. However, in the previous 17 years the death rate per 1000 prisoners has fluctuated across a fairly narrow range. Data presented here highlight some of the notable jurisdictional differences, including comparisons between death rates for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. The overwhelming majority of deaths are of non-Indigenous people.
The information collected on the 719 prison custody deaths comprise 109 (more than 15 per cent) Indigenous people and 610 non-Indigenous people. Also included are the deaths of 27 females.
Approximately 15 per cent of Australia’s prison population is on remand, yet this group comprises a disproportionate number of prison deaths (37 per cent in 1997, for example).
Over the 18-year period, 42 per cent of deaths were by hanging and 33 per cent by natural causes. Overall, deaths by hanging exceeded deaths by natural causes by 62. However, among Aboriginal people death from illness and natural causes exceeded deaths by hanging (see Table 3). Aboriginal health and the persistent over-representation of Aboriginal people in custody are key factors in seeking preventive mechanisms.
1997 had the highest number of deaths on record. Analysis in future years will test whether or not this was an aberration, or cause for still more serious concern.