Are you OK with cookies?

We use small files called ‘cookies’ on iapdeathsincustody.independent.gov.uk. Some are essential to make the site work, some help us to understand how we can improve your experience, and some are set by third parties. You can choose to turn off the non-essential cookies. Which cookies are you happy for us to use?

Skip to content

Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody

We are an advisory non-departmental public body co-sponsored by the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office, and the Department of Health and Social Care with the central aim of preventing deaths in custody.

Death rates in prisons and under the Mental Health Act disproportionately high.

The IAPDC has published its latest statistical analysis of deaths in custody which finds that people in state detention are at a significantly increased risk of death compared with the general population, with the rates of deaths in prisons and Mental Health Act detention particularly high.

Statistics

  • In the 12 months to June 2024, there were 308 deaths in prison custody. 85 of these deaths were self-inflicted.
  • There were 14 deaths of offenders with residence in Approved Premises in 2022/23.
  • Providers have notified the CQC that 264 people died while detained under the Mental Health Act between April 2022 and March 2023.
  • In 2023/24, 24 people died in or following police custody. There were 68 apparent suicides during this same period.
  • In 2023 there were two deaths of people detained under Immigration Act Powers.