Citation

Iqtidar M, Sharma K, Mullaney R, Kelly E, Keevans M, Cullinane M, Kennedy H, Mohan D. BJPsych Open 2018; 4(5): 401-403.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Royal College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

10.1192/bjo.2018.53

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

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. © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2018.

Language: en

Keywords

human; suicide; female; male; accident; autopsy; substance misuse; prevalence; cause of death; hanging; forensic toxicology; Ireland; major clinical study; retrospective study; drug intoxication; priority journal; prisoner; coroner; illicit drug; time of death; Article; custodial care; alcohol misuse; deaths in custody; Deaths in prisons