Publications

Produced collaboratively by the College of Policing, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody (IAPDC) – this guidance sets out a preventative, evidence-informed approach to the risk of suicide in and following police custody. It draws on best practice and the expertise of a broad range of stakeholders across policing, justice, health, and the third sector who participated in a series of working groups to provide a comprehensive framework for identifying and responding to suicide risk throughout custody – from arrest to release. It highlights the importance of early intervention, person-centred care, continuity of care and coordinated multi-agency support.

IAPDC warns that the absence of independent investigations of deaths under the Mental Health Act (MHA) risks critical learning being lost, undermining efforts to prevent future deaths and leaving bereaved families without answers.

An analysis of prison mortality and overcrowding in England and Wales from 2014 to 2024, modelling how rising prisoner numbers and occupancy pressures may influence future mortality trends.

This work programme outlines key IAPDC work to be delivered between 2025 and 2026.

An analysis of long-term trends and strategies for reducing ligature deaths in prisons in England and Wales.