For last reported year 1999 - 2000

Statistics Canada figures on adult corrections for 1999-2000 show that a total of 189 prisoners died in that one year period. Of the federal prisoners, 55 died in custody, and 84 out of custody.

Suicide was the leading cause of death in provincial custody. Quebec had the highest percentage of prisoner deaths: total 18, suicide 15.

In federal custody, deaths from natural causes/accidental death were reported as the leading causes of death.

There are three main reasons that a prisoner can die an unnatural death:

Neglect   Usually from inadequate or non-existent medical care. Many people in custody die of untreated illnesses that would not normally result in their death. In large part, this is due to neglect by guards of serious medical problems and pains. Still others die a premature death, as in the case with prisoners living with HIV/AIDS.

Suicide   The suicide rate in prison is more than twice as high as the rate amongst the general canadian population. There have been a number of documented cases of prisoners bleeding to death even when that prisoner attempted to reach out for help.

Murder   Violent interference from guards such as beatings, shootings, and gassings result in needless death in prison. Violence among prisoners is also a cause of death, though this is surprisingly low considering the levels of tension that can be reached inside a prison.

'Out of custody' deaths are those attributed to prisoners who are serving out the remainder of their sentence in the community, whether it's on day parole, full parole, statutory release or "compassionate" release. While some prisoners who have medical conditions that are considered terminal are granted parole for "compassionate" reasons, this is the exception and not the rule.

PRISONER DEATHS FROM MURDER, SUICIDE AND NEGLECT
CAN AND MUST BE PREVENTED!

2001
Prisoners' Justice Day Committee