Deaths in custody in the Irish prison service: 5-year retrospective study of drug toxicology and unnatural deaths. Issue 5 (21st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Iqtidar, Madeeha; Sharma, Kapil; Mullaney, Ronan; Kelly, Enda; Keevans, Mary; Cullinane, Myra; Kennedy, Harry; Mohan, Damian
• Is Part Of: BJPsych open. Volume 4:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 401
• Page End: 403
• Publication Date: 2018-09-21
• Subjects: Deaths in prisons, -- alcohol misuse, -- substance misuse, -- deaths in custody; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Periodicals; 616.89005
• DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2018.53
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4724

Abstract

Summary: Mental health and substance misuse disorders are associated with unnatural deaths in prisoners. Deaths in Irish prisons between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively analysed using coroner's findings, including post-mortem toxicology. There were 69 deaths in custody, 38 of which met inclusion criteria. All deaths by overdose (16) were positive for illicit drugs; 53% of deaths (8 of 15) due to hanging were also positive for illicit drugs, and 29% of deaths (2 of 7) from other causes were toxicology positive. In conclusion, 26 unnatural deaths (68%) were associated with use of illicit drugs, which are a major contributory factor to deaths of prisoners. Declaration of interest: None.