@article{ref1,
title="Deaths in custody in the Irish prison service: 5-year retrospective study of drug toxicology and unnatural deaths",
journal="BJPsych open",
year="2018",
author="Iqtidar, M. and Sharma, K. and Mullaney, R. and Kelly, E. and Keevans, M. and Cullinane, M. and Kennedy, H. and Mohan, D.",
volume="4",
number="5",
pages="401-403",
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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2056-4724",
doi="10.1192/bjo.2018.53",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2018.53"
}