The National Deaths in Custody Program (NDICP) was established in 1992 and provides comprehensive, timely, and authoritative data on all deaths that occur in custody and custody-related police operations. The purpose of monitoring deaths in custody is to provide accurate, up-to-date information that will contribute to public policy discussion in this area, and to increase public understanding of the issues. It also allows for the monitoring of long-term trends and patterns in police custody and custody-related police operations. The information is based on three main data sources: NDICP data collection forms completed by all State and territory police services and correctional departments; State coronial records; and information gleaned from national press clippings tailored to the NDICP requirements. The total number of deaths in police and prison custody in 2002 was 69. This represents a decline from the 87 deaths recorded during 2001 and is the lowest overall figure recorded. New South Wales recorded the highest number of custodial deaths with a total of 29, followed by Victoria and Western Australia with a total of 11 deaths each. There were 10 custodial deaths in Queensland, 3 in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, and 2 in South Australia. The majority of deaths occurred in prison custody (50), with 19 occurring in police custody. Indigenous deaths accounted for 20 percent (14) of the overall number. There were no deaths in juvenile detention during 2002. The largest proportion of deaths were due to natural causes (38 percent). Hangings were also responsible for a large proportion of non-Indigenous deaths (29 percent). The majority of deaths involved non-Indigenous males (48). There were eight female deaths in custody, four of which occurred in New South Wales. The mean age of persons that died in custody was 41 years. The majority of deaths occurred in a public hospital (25) or in a cell. 13 figures, 24 tables, 2 references