Deaths in custody
NARROWER TERMS
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia 2021–22
In 2021–22, there were 106 deaths in custody: 84 in prison custody and 22 in police custody or custody-related operations. In total, there were 24 Indigenous deaths and 81 non-Indigenous deaths in custody and one death of a person whose Indigenous status was unknown. This...
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia 2020–21
The National Deaths in Custody Program has monitored the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison, police custody and youth detention in Australia since 1980. In 2020–21 there were 82 deaths in custody: 66 in prison custody and 16 in police custody or custody-related...
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia 2019-20
The National Deaths in Custody Program has monitored the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison, police custody and youth detention in Australia since 1980. In 2019-20 there were 113 deaths in custody. This report contains detailed information on these deaths and compares the...
Report
The high level of First Nations people in custody and oversight and review of deaths in custody: report
This report highlights that the current arrangements for reviewing deaths in custody are complex, with many of the functions overlapping across a number of different oversight bodies, and not one lead body to coordinate an effective approach.
Working paper
30 years on: Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommendations remain unimplemented
This paper outlines concerns with the 2018 Deloitte Access Economics review of the implementation of the 339 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia 2018–19
This report contains detailed information on the 113 deaths in custody in 2018–19 (89 in prison custody and 24 in police custody or custody-related operations), and compares these findings to longer-term trends.
Report
Seeing the clear light of day: expert reference group on decriminalising public drunkenness
This report has been prepared by the expert reference group appointed to advise the Victorian government on the decriminalisation of public drunkenness and the development of an alternative health-based response.
Report
“He’s never coming back”
This report examines the cases of eight people with disabilities who died in custody in Western Australia between 2015 and 2020, six of whom were Aboriginal people.
Report
Ombudsman's own initiative investigation in relation to issues surrounding the death in custody of Mr Wayne Fella Morrison
The Ombudsman conducted an ‘own initiative’ investigation of the Department for Correctional Services’ handling of various issues before and after the 2016 death of an Aboriginal prisoner, Mr Morrison.
Position paper
Black lives matter: always have, always will
In response to the 'Black Lives Matter' movement, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services have compiled legal and policy reforms that need to be implemented to advance the cause of true justice in Australia.
Article
Despite 432 Indigenous deaths in custody, no one has ever been convicted. Racist silence and complicity are to blame
Many people on this continent know more about police and prison violence in the US, than the same violence that happens here, so what’s behind the curious silence on First Nations deaths in custody in Australia?
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia 2017-18
This report examines the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison and police custody and custody-related operations in 2017–18, and compares these findings to long-term trends.
Report
Shooting deaths in police custody
Shooting deaths in police custody (including police and self-inflicted shootings) account for 30 percent of all deaths in police custody. This paper uses National Deaths in Custody Program data and coronial records to examine the circumstances of these deaths between 2006–07 and 2016–17.
Report
National Deaths in Custody Program: deaths in custody in Australia 2016–17
This report contains detailed information on deaths in both prison and police custody and custody-related operations in 2016–17, and compares these findings to longer term trends.
Report
Indigenous deaths in custody: 25 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Twenty-five years has passed since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC). This paper examines the trends and characteristics of Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991–92, using data obtained through the National Deaths in Custody Program (NDICP).
Working paper
Joint response to the Deloitte Review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
This statement outlines concerns with the 2018 Deloitte Access Economics review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCIADIC).
Report
Review of the implementation of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
In 2017, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to undertake an independent review of the implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Report
National deaths in custody program: deaths in custody in Australia 2013–14 and 2014–15
This report presents data on the number of deaths in custody that occurred during 2013–14 and 2014–15, and trend data on deaths in prison custody (from 1979–80) and police custody and custody-related operations (from 1989–90).
Blog post
The 25th Anniversary of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody
Despite great changes in Indigenous policy in the last twenty-five years, the number of Indigenous deaths in custody has not declined. Between 1987 and 1991, while the Royal Commission was underway, there were 23 Indigenous deaths in prison custody and 28 in police custody. From...
Audio
Shameful statistics: black deaths in custody
The Coronial inquest into the death of Ms Dhu, a Yamatji woman from Western Australia is in its final stages. In 2014, the 22 year old was pronounced dead at the Hedland Health Campus, 45 hours after being taken into police custody for unpaid fines...
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia: National Deaths in Custody Program 2011–12 and 2012–13
Abstract: The data presented in this report include frequencies of deaths in prison and police custody and information regarding the deceased, including demographic information and cause of death. Long term trends are also presented. In 2011–12 and 2012–13, there were 144 deaths in custody, 73...
Report
Investigation into deaths and harm in custody
This report provides an overview of common issues within Victorian prisons, and how these can lead to deaths and harm in custody.
Report
Deaths in custody in Australia to 30 June 2011
Abstract Compiled for two decades by the Australian Institute of Criminology, this report found both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous rates of deaths in custody have decreased over the last decade and are now some of the lowest ever seen (0.16 per 100 Indigenous prisoners and...
Report
The death of Mr Carl Williams at HM Barwon Prison - investigation into Corrections Victoria
Carl Williams' death raises important concerns about the monitoring systems in place at Barwon Prison. The report finds that Corrections Victoria failed in its statutory obligations to Mr Williams and identifies major deficiencies in relation to how intelligence information is gathered, coordinated and shared within...
Report
Doing time - time for doing
20 years after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, young Aboriginal people are 28 times more likely to be detained than non-indigenous juveniles. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Committee recently tabled this report into Indigenous youth and the criminal justice system...