The Northern Ireland Prison Service has said that it would be wrong to infer any trends in the number of deaths in prison custody after figures released showed that the number of deaths that have occurred in prison custody almost doubled in 2024.
The figures were released following a written question from DUP MLA Michelle McIlveen who asked the Justice Minister for a breakdown of the number of deaths that have occurred in prison custody in each of the last five years.
Since 2020, there have been 26 deaths in prison custody in Northern Ireland. One cause of death has been confirmed at the inquest as by natural causes, with 14 potentially natural causes (58%); nine deaths are potentially self-inflicted (35%); and two deaths are potentially substance-related (7%).
The figures released show that in 2024, there were nine deaths, up from five in 2023, four in 2022, five in 2021 and just three in 2020.
In response to the question from Michelle McIlveen, the Minister said "The appropriate authorities are notified of all deaths in custody.
"The Prisoner Ombudsman takes forward investigations of all deaths in custody and if appropriate makes recommendations for both the Northern Ireland Prison Service and the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust following their investigation.
"Coroners’ inquests are also held following deaths in custody."
A spokesperson for NI Prison Service said: “Many people arrive in prison with unmet health needs. In addition to this, with an ageing prison population, health needs are often highly complex, and the Prison Service works closely with our healthcare providers in the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust to meet the needs of prisoners.
“Any death is a tragedy which impacts many people, and their families in particular. It also has a deep impact on staff who care and support prisoners, often through very difficult circumstances. Regarding the nine deaths in custody last year, while it is for the coroner to report the cause of death, it is important to state that four people died outside a prison – for example in hospital or in the community shortly after release. Of the nine people, one is suspected of being self-inflicted.
“It is worth noting that the overall number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland has risen in each of the past two years, which is not surprising given the demographic trend towards an older population Given the low number of deaths it would be wrong to infer any trends as a small number could affect the statistics significantly.”
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