Increase in state detention deaths reported to coroners driven by rise in prison deaths, INQUEST responds
CONTENT WARNING: Please read with care as this page may involve information on death, suicide, mental illness, disability, state neglect, and police and prison violence that some people may find upsetting. If you need support, please visit our support page.
Press releases
8 May 2025
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Official statistics show that deaths in state detention reported to a coroner rose by 11% compared to the previous year. This increase is being driven by a 16% rise in deaths of people in prison.
Coroners statistics, published today by the Ministry of Justice provide a summary of annual data on deaths reported to coroners.In 2024, 546 deaths in state detention (including deaths of those released from custody within 7 days and residents of probation approved schemes) were reported to coroners, compared to 492 deaths in 2023. The increase was driven by a 16% rise in deaths of people in prison.
The latest Safety in Custody statistics revealed a staggering increase in the number of deaths in prison and the highest rate of self-harm incidents since records began in 2004.
Number of deaths in state detention (excluding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards), by type of detention, 2011-2024
Across all deaths reported to a coroner, the number of Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs) increased by 25% to 713 from 2023. Coroners must issue a PFD report when they identify risks during an inquest and believe action is needed to help prevent similar deaths in the future.
INQUEST has been campaigning for a National Oversight Mechanism to ensure that the potential of PFDs is realised and lives are saved.
Jessica Pandian, Senior Policy & Communications Officer at INQUEST, said:"Yet again, we are reminded of the ongoing and escalating prison crisis.
Rather than continuing to build more prisons and arming prison officers with weapons, with a taser pilotrecently announced in adult prisons and PAVA spray to be used in Young Offender Institutions, the Government must acknowledge that prisons are harmful institutions that negatively impact society as a whole.
We must collectively demand the Government divests investment from prisons and punishment to community services to safeguard lives."
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Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
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Increase in state detention deaths reported to coroners driven by rise in prison deaths, INQUEST responds
CONTENT WARNING: Please read with care as this page may involve information on death, suicide, mental illness, disability, state neglect, and police and prison violence that some people may find upsetting. If you need support, please visit our support page.
Official statistics show that deaths in state detention reported to a coroner rose by 11% compared to the previous year. This increase is being driven by a 16% rise in deaths of people in prison.
Coroners statistics, published today by the Ministry of Justice provide a summary of annual data on deaths reported to coroners. In 2024, 546 deaths in state detention (including deaths of those released from custody within 7 days and residents of probation approved schemes) were reported to coroners, compared to 492 deaths in 2023. The increase was driven by a 16% rise in deaths of people in prison.
The latest Safety in Custody statistics revealed a staggering increase in the number of deaths in prison and the highest rate of self-harm incidents since records began in 2004.
Number of deaths in state detention (excluding Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards), by type of detention, 2011-2024
Across all deaths reported to a coroner, the number of Prevention of Future Deaths reports (PFDs) increased by 25% to 713 from 2023. Coroners must issue a PFD report when they identify risks during an inquest and believe action is needed to help prevent similar deaths in the future.
INQUEST has been campaigning for a National Oversight Mechanism to ensure that the potential of PFDs is realised and lives are saved.
Jessica Pandian, Senior Policy & Communications Officer at INQUEST, said: "Yet again, we are reminded of the ongoing and escalating prison crisis.
Rather than continuing to build more prisons and arming prison officers with weapons, with a taser pilot recently announced in adult prisons and PAVA spray to be used in Young Offender Institutions, the Government must acknowledge that prisons are harmful institutions that negatively impact society as a whole.
We must collectively demand the Government divests investment from prisons and punishment to community services to safeguard lives."
Make a Donation
Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
Donate now
Subscribe to our newsletter
To receive the latest news from INQUEST straight into you inbox please subscribe. For examples of what you will receive, see our previous newsletters.