NCJ Number
152614
Journal
Current Issues in Criminal Justice Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (July 1994) Pages: 76-89
Date Published
1994
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Contemporary issues related to monitoring and research into deaths in custody in Australia are analyzed in terms of the work of the Australian Institute of Criminology and the implications for the country's overall response to inmate deaths in general and to the deaths of Aboriginal people in custody in particular.
Abstract
During 1992, the Australian Institute of Criminology established a National Deaths in Custody Monitoring and Research Unit, as part of the government's response to a commission report. Since that time, the unit has published reports on deaths in custody during specific time periods, police custody, and deaths of juveniles. From 1980-86, an average of 44 deaths in police and prison custody occurred each year. The number more than doubled in 1987 and then declined. Sixty-two deaths occurred in 1992, including five Aboriginal deaths. Half were self-inflicted. Most of the decedents were males. Ages ranged from 14 to 77 years, with an average of 30. The analysis suggests that deaths in custody will probably never be eliminated, but the monitoring reports are attracting media attention and increasing the potential for action by elected officials and correctional administrators. Tables, figure, and footnotes