Influence of offence type and prior imprisonment on risk of death following release from prison: a whole-population linked data study. Issue 2 (15th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jama-Alol, Khadra Abdi; Malacova, Eva; Ferrante, Anna; Alan, Janine; Stewart, Louise; Preen, David
• Is Part Of: International journal of prisoner health. Volume 11:Issue 2(2015)
• Page Start: 108
• Page End: 118
• Publication Date: 2015-06-15
• Subjects: Offender health -- Prison -- Elderly prisoners -- Prisoners -- Recidivism -- Illicit drugs; Prisoners -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Prisoners -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Prisoners -- Mental health -- Periodicals; 365.66
• DOI: 10.1108/IJPH-10-2013-0046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-9200

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: – The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of offence type, prior imprisonment and various socio-demographic characteristics on mortality at 28 and 365 days following prison release. Design/methodology/approach: – Using whole-population linked, routinely collected administrative state-based imprisonment and mortality data, the authors conducted a retrospective study of 12, 677 offenders released from Western Australian prisons in the period 1994-2003. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between mortality at 28 and 365 days post-release and offence type, prior imprisonment, and a range of socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, social disadvantage and Indigenous status). Findings: – Overall, 135 (1.1 per cent) died during the 365 days follow-up period, of these, 17.8 per cent ( n =24) died within the first 28 days (four weeks) of their index release. Ex-prisoners who had committed drug-related offences had significantly higher risk of 28-day post-release mortality (HR=28.4; 95 per cent CI: 1.3-615.3, p =0.033), than those who had committed violent (non-sexual) offences. A significant association was also found between the number of previous incarcerations and post-release mortality at 28 days post-release, with three prior prison terms carrying the highest mortality risk (HR=73.8; 95 per cent CI: 1.8-3, 092.5, p =0.024). No association between mortality and either offence type or prior imprisonment was seen at 365 days post-release. Originality/value: – Post-release mortality at 28 days was significantly associated with offence type (with drug-related offences carrying the greatest risk) and with prior imprisonment, but associations did not persist to 365 days after release. Targeting of short-term transitional programmes to reduce preventable deaths after return to the community could be tailored to these high-risk ex-prisoners.