To provide a count of inmate deaths in state correctional facilities and local
jails. This data collection was launched in 2000 to implement the Death in Custody
Reporting Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-297). The United States Code, Titles 15
and 42, authorizes this data collection and provides for voluntary responses.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) fully funds this collection. Collects data on deaths in state prisons and all correctional facilities that
are administered by county and municipal governments (directly or under contract)
and hold inmates beyond their initial arraignment (usually more than 48 hours). Death reports are collected quarterly on deceased inmates. The death reports
contain information on the characteristics of deceased inmates such as date
of birth, date of death, gender, and cause of death. In addition to the death
reports, an annual summary data is collected for local jails requesting one-day
inmate counts of the jail, yearly admissions, average daily population, and
total number of deaths. Death reports are submitted quarterly for the state prison collection. For
local jails, death reports are submitted quarterly and an annual summary is
also collected. A mail-out census with mail, fax, or Web-based reporting options. BJS is responsible for generating reports from the data files that are delivered
annually by Census staff. Data are subject to confidentiality limitations. BJS uses the data as input for data tables describing recent trends in mortality
in State prisons and local jails. Researchers use these data to analyze trends. Provides the only source of mortality statistics in State prisons and local jails. EXPLORE INFORMATION CONTINUE OVERVIEW
DEATHS IN CUSTODY IN STATE PRISONS AND LOCAL JAILS
PURPOSE
COVERAGE
CONTENT
FREQUENCY
METHODS
PRODUCTS
USES
SPECIAL FEATURES
RELATED PROGRAMS