Research shows increased risk of death by external causes for people on probation or serving a community sentence
People on probation following a prison sentence or serving a community sentence face an increased risk of death by external causes such as suicide, homicide and drug overdose, according to new research.
The study, led by Nottingham Trent University (NTU), examined official data held by His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service in England and Wales on the cause of death of 1,700 men and women under supervision of the Probation Service between 2019-2021.
It is the first to compare cause of death – including natural causes - among those on post-custody release or serving a community sentence as one population.
Where a cause of death was categorised, 26% of cases were reported as drug overdose, 10% as suspected suicides, 8% as accidental death and 5% as homicide.
The findings showed that drug misuse, known suicide or self-harm risk, and enforcement action due to a breach of conditions were directly related to suspected suicide, drug-related and accidental deaths.
Drug overdose was found to be a common cause of death for females, along with those who were homeless or in short-term accommodation, unemployed with financial support, or in receipt of a recent enforcement action, as well as those with risk markers for drug misuse, or a history of carrying out domestic violence or abuse.
Professor Karen Slade
Suspected suicide deaths were also more frequently found among those with a history of abuse or family violence, but also among people who were fully or self-employed and held settled accommodation.
Homicide deaths were relatively more common in within Black, Mixed or Asian ethnicity or Muslim religion and the age of people who died from homicide was significantly younger than other causes of death.
Karen Slade, lead researcher and Professor of Applied Forensic Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “The rate of death for people under supervision is three times higher than that of their peers from the general population – and our findings show that around 50% of these deaths are premature, caused by external factors.
“In particular, with consistent evidence of the interlink between drug use and suicide, we have highlighted the heightened risk of drug-related deaths, not only after custody release, but in the days and weeks after community sentencing.
“Probation services do not have the same statutory duty of care as prisons have for people in custody, and rely on other agencies to deliver many key services such as health and social care and housing.
“This study reinforces the importance of joint working and improved communication between health and justice partners in order to prevent avoidable deaths of individuals who are in regular contact with these agencies.”
The research recommends that policies, training, and services are reassessed to ensure they are responsive to the needs of those under probation supervision, and encompass those serving community sentences.
Deaths among adults under supervision of the England and Wales’ probation services: variation in individual and criminal justice-related factors by cause of death has been published in the journal Health and Justice.