Deaths of trans people in prison

Statistics
6 January 2026

Since 2015, at least 13 trans people have died in prison in England and Wales.

INQUEST has been aware of the deaths of trans people in prison since 1980s. The deaths included here are only the deaths that INQUEST is aware of, so it is likely to be an underrepresentation. 

Deaths in prison are often preventable and premature. So-called ‘natural causes’ deaths, as categorised by the Ministry of Justice, comprise the greatest proportion of all deaths in prison. However, INQUEST’s casework has shown that deaths categorised as ‘natural causes’ often reflect failures in healthcare and the prison system.

Data concerning the deaths of trans people in prison is taken from INQUEST's casework and monitoring.

Deaths of trans people in prison by apparent cause, England and Wales, 2014 - 2026 by year
YearSelf-inflictedOther non-naturalNatural causesAwaiting
classification
Total
202600000
202510012
202400101
202310012
202210001
202100000
202000000
201900000
201800101
201710102
201620002
201520002
Totals803213

 

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