U.S. Department of Justice

~

Office of Justice Programs

~

Bureau of Justice Statistics

December 2012, NCJ 239911

Margaret E. Noonan, BJS Statistician

D

uring 2010, 4,150 inmates died while in the
custody of local jails and state prisons—a 5%
decline from 2009. Local jails accounted for
about a quarter of all inmate deaths, with 918 inmates
who died in custody in 2010. The number of jail inmate
deaths declined from 2009 to 2010 (down 3%), while
the mortality rate remained relatively stable, from
128 deaths per 100,000 jail inmates in 2009 to 125 per
100,000 in 2010. The five leading causes of jail inmate
deaths were suicide, heart disease, drug or alcohol
intoxication, cancer, and liver disease.

per 100,000 in 2010. In 2010, the five leading causes of
state prison inmate deaths were cancer, heart disease,
liver disease, respiratory disease, and suicide.

Most inmates who died in custody were serving time
in state prisons (78%). In 2010, 3,232 state prison
inmates died in custody—a 5% decline from 2009. The
mortality rate in state prisons declined slightly, from
257 deaths per 100,000 prison inmates in 2009 to 245

The data in this report were developed from the
Bureau of Justice Statistics’ (BJS) Deaths in Custody
Reporting Program (DCRP), an annual data
collection that documents inmate mortality in local
jails and state prisons. Annual collection of data from
jails began in 2000, followed by prisons in 2001. This
report examines deaths of inmates in state prison and
local jail custody between 2000 and 2010. Statistical
tables provide information about the causes and
circumstances of local jail and state prison inmate
deaths and present trends by cause of death, selected
decedent characteristics, and states where the jails and
prisons were located.

Figure 1
Jail inmate deaths in custody, 2000–2010

Figure 2
State prison inmate deaths in custody, 2001–2010
Rate per 100,000

Number
1,200

Mortality rate

Number

160

120
800

Rate per 100,000

4,000

Mortality rate
Number

140

1,000

80

40
200

2,000

150
100

1,000
50

20
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting
Program, 2001–2010.

0

250
200

60

400

300

3,000

100

600

0

Number

Bureau of Justice Statistics · Statistical Tables

Mortality in Local Jails and State
Prisons, 2000-2010 - Statistical Tables

0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

0

Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting
Program and National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2010.

BJS
HJS

Mortality in local jails
Cause of death
ƒƒThe number of inmates who died while in the custody of
local jails declined in 2010, falling to 918 from the 951
deaths in 2009, representing the third consecutive annual
decrease since the number of jail deaths peaked at 1,100
in 2007 (table 1).
ƒƒSuicide, the leading cause of local jail inmate deaths,
remained at about the same level in 2010 (305 suicides) as
in 2009 (304), although the number has trended upward
slightly since 2006.*
ƒƒThe number of jail inmate deaths from heart disease
increased in 2010 to 240, up from 199 occurring in 2009.
The annual average number of heart disease deaths was 222
over the past 10 years (excluding 2008 data as noted above).
ƒƒThe five leading causes of jail inmate deaths in 2010—
suicide, heart disease, drug or alcohol intoxication, cancer,
and liver diseases—were the same as in 2009. In all years
prior to 2009, AIDS-related deaths were among the five
leading causes of death (table 2).
ƒƒSince an initial decline in 2008, the mortality rate for jail
inmates—125 per 100,000 inmates in 2010—has remained
relatively unchanged. Likewise, the annual mortality rate
between 2000 and 2008 showed little variation, increasing
or decreasing between 1% and 3% (table 3).
ƒƒThe suicide rate in local jails declined over time from 49
per 100,000 inmates in 2001 to 36 per 100,000 in 2007.
Since 2007, the rate has increased slightly to reach 42 per
100,000 inmates in 2010 (excluding 2008 data as noted
above).
ƒƒJail inmates died of heart disease at a rate of 33 per
100,000 inmates in 2010, similar to rates between 2000
and 2006, but was slightly above the rate of 27 per 100,000
inmates in 2009.
Decedent characteristics
ƒƒIn 2010, males accounted for nearly 9 out of 10 jail inmate
deaths (88%). In any single year between 2000 and 2010,
males accounted for no less than 87% of jail deaths (table 5).
ƒƒPrior to 2008, the annual male rate was no more than 24%
above the female rate, with the difference in most years
being about 10% (table 6).
*The number of suicides reported for 2008 is undercounted due to the
relatively large number (n=203 or 22% of deaths in 2008) of local jail deaths
missing information about cause of death. For trend comparisons, the 2008
counts classified by cause of death are omitted from the discussion.

ƒƒFrom 2008 through 2010, the male and female mortality
rates were about equal, signifying a convergence in their
respective rates over time. Mortality rates for white and
black inmates in 2010 were nearly equal to the mortality
rates in 2009.
ƒƒThe Hispanic mortality rate declined from 72 to 60 per
100,000 inmates from 2009 to 2010, which was one of the
largest single year declines for Hispanic jail inmate deaths
between 2000 and 2010.
State-level jail populations
ƒƒCalifornia, Texas, New York, and Florida together
reported about a third of jail deaths in 2010. These states
also had the largest jail populations, comprising 31% of
the total jail population in 2010 (table 7).
ƒƒBetween 2000 and 2010, nearly all (97% to 99%) of the
approximately 2,800 jail jurisdictions in the United States
submitted population and mortality data to the DCRP.
These jurisdictions reported a total of 10,905 deaths over
the 11-year period (table 9).
Cause of death by decedent characteristics, 2000 to
2010 average annual trends
ƒƒBetween 2000 and 2010, about a third (767 or 32%) of
heart disease deaths occurred within seven days of the
inmate’s admission to jail. Less than 10% of jail inmate
deaths due to cancer (4%) and AIDS-related illnesses
(7%) occurred in the first seven days (table 10).
ƒƒBetween 2000 and 2010, the male suicide rate (42 per
100,000 male inmates) was 55% higher than the rate for
females (27 per 100,000 female inmates) (table 11).
ƒƒWhite jail inmates committed suicide (80 per 100,000)
at a rate that was more than 3 times that of Hispanics
(25 per 100,000) and more than 5 times that of black jail
inmates (15 per 100,000).
ƒƒJail inmates age 55 or older had the highest suicide rate
and committed suicide at twice the rate of jail inmates
ages 18 to 24, who had the lowest suicide rate.
ƒƒJails reported 60 suicides per 100,000 inmates age 55 or
older, compared to 28 suicides per 100,000 inmates ages 18
to 24.
ƒƒBetween 2000 and 2010, 9 out of every 100,000 jail
inmates who were age 55 or older died as a victim of
homicide, a rate that was between 1.8 and 4.4 times higher
than the homicide mortality rate of younger inmates.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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Mortality in state prisons
Cause of death
ƒƒThe number of inmates dying while in the custody of state
prisons declined from 3,414 in 2009 to 3,232 in 2010,
for a total decrease of 5%, which is the largest decline in
the number of prison deaths since 2001 when the DCRP
began collecting data on prison deaths (table 12).
ƒƒIn 2010, cancer was the most common cause of death in
prisons, followed by heart disease, respiratory disease,
liver disease and suicide. In each year between 2001 and
2010, cancer and heart disease combined accounted for
about half of all prison deaths (table 13).
ƒƒIn 2010, the cancer mortality rate in state prisons (68 per
100,000) exceeded the heart disease mortality rate (65 per
100,000) for the third consecutive year (table 14).
ƒƒAIDS-related deaths were among the five leading causes
of death in prison in 2001 and 2002. The AIDS-related
mortality rate declined 76% between 2001 and 2010.
ƒƒBetween 2001 and 2010, suicide was among the five
leading causes of deaths in prison in all but two years.
For the same period, the prisoner suicide rate was nearly
equal to both the liver and respiratory disease mortality
rates but was consistently about 4 times lower than heart
disease and cancer mortality rates.
Decedent characteristics
ƒƒIn 2010, males accounted for nearly all prisoner deaths
(96%). In any single year between 2001 and 2010, males
accounted for no less than 95% of prison deaths
(table 16).
ƒƒThe mortality rate for prisoners age 55 or older declined
27% in 2010, while the population of prisoners age 55 or
older increased by a third (table 17).
ƒƒIn 2010, male prisoners died at twice the rate of female
prisoners.
ƒƒThe male mortality rate among prisoners declined 4%
between 2009 and 2010, and the female mortality rate
declined 20% during the same period.
ƒƒWhite prison inmates had the highest mortality rate of
all race or ethnic groups between 2001 and 2010, with a
mortality rate between 1.4 and 2.4 times higher than any
other race or ethnic group in any single year in the 10year period.

State-level prison populations
ƒƒHalf of the 50 state departments of corrections reported
a decrease in the number of deaths occurring in state
prisons between 2009 and 2010, with eight reporting a
decline of more than 25% in the number (table 19).
ƒƒThe federal prisoner mortality rate peaked at 233 deaths
per 100,000 prisoners in 2005 before declining 18% to 192
per 100,000 in 2006. The rate declined again to 179 deaths
per 100,000 inmates in 2010 (table 20).
Cause of death by decedent characteristics
ƒƒOver the 10-year period between 2001 and 2010, male
prisoners were 1.7 times more likely to die than female
prisoners. Heart disease-related mortality contributed to
the largest difference between male and female prisoner
mortality rates, with male prisoners 3.4 times more likely
to die of heart disease than female prisoners (table 23).
ƒƒWhite prison inmates were, on average, 3 times more
likely than black inmates to commit suicide over the 10year period.
ƒƒOn average, over the 10 years between 2001 and 2010,
black prison inmates had an AIDS-related mortality rate
at least twice that of prison inmates of any other race or
ethnic group.
ƒƒBoth heart disease and cancer had the largest differences
in mortality rates by age of inmates, with rates for inmates
age 55 or older at least 5 times higher than any other age
group.
ƒƒLiver disease had the smallest differences in mortality
rates by age, with inmates age 55 or older dying at a rate
that was 1.9 times that of inmates between ages 45 to 54.
ƒƒOn average, over the 10 years from 2001 to 2010, age
had little differences in suicide rates, with prisoners
committing suicide at nearly equal rates, across age
groups.
Cause of death by state
ƒƒThe mortality rate for state prisoners for the 10-year
period between 2001 and 2010 varied between 155 deaths
per 100,000 inmates and 439 deaths per 100,000 inmates,
with a median rate of 242 deaths per 100,000 inmates
(table 25).
ƒƒ	Mortality rates between states are not directly comparable
because rates are not adjusted for differences in age, sex,
race, geographic location, and any other characteristics.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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List of tables
Table 1
Number of local jail inmate deaths, by cause of death,
2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 5

Table 14
Mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by cause of
death, 2001–2010 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 14

Table 2
Percent of local jail inmate deaths, by cause of death,
2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 5

Table 15
Number of state prisoner deaths, by selected
characteristics, 2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 15

Table 3
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of
death, 2000–2010 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 6

Table 16
Percent of state prisoner deaths, by selected
characteristics, 2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 15

Table 4
Number of local jail inmate deaths, by selected decedent
characteristics, 2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 6

Table 17
Estimated number of state prisoners in custody at
midyear, by selected characteristics, 2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 16

Table 5
Percent of local jail inmate deaths, by selected decedent
characteristics, 2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 7

Table 18
Mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by selected
characteristics, 2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 16

Table 6
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by selected
decedent characteristics, 2000–2010 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 8

Table 19
Number of state prisoner deaths, by state,
2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 17

Table 7
Number of jail deaths, by state and year, 2000–2010.  .  .  .  . 9

Table 20
Mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by state,
2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 18

Table 8
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by state,
2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 10
Table 9
Number of jail jurisdictions reporting to the Deaths in
Custody Reporting Program, by state and year,
2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 11
Table 10
Number of local jail inmate deaths, by cause of death and
selected decedent characteristics, 2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 12
Table 11
Average annual mortality rate per 100,000 local jail
inmates, by cause of death and selected characteristics,
2000–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 13
Table 12
Number of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death,
2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 13

Table 21
Number of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death and
selected characteristics, 2001–2010 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 19
Table 22
Percent of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death and
selected characteristics, 2001–2010 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 19
Table 23
Average mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by
cause of death and selected characteristics,
2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 20
Table 24
Number of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death and
state, 2001–2010 .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 21
Table 25
Average mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by
cause of death and state, 2001–2010. .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 22

Table 13
Percent of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death,
2001–2010.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 14

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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Table 1
Number of local jail inmate deaths, by cause of death, 2000–2010
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-related
Cancer
Liver disease
Respiratory
All otherb
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicide
Other/unknown
Missingc

2000
904
516
198
57
31
22
32
176
289
37
25
17
17
3

2001
942
486
215
59
25
27
19
141
312
58
35
19
24
8

2002
970
508
221
51
39
25
23
149
314
54
34
18
35
7

2003
1002
512
240
54
35
30
22
131
296
89
28
15
52
10

2004
1021
532
227
52
29
31
35
158
299
75
32
24
50
9

2005
1045
501
202
40
37
31
22
169
286
83
24
22
110
19

2006
1094
605
246
54
39
27
27
212
278
87
32
36
52
4

2007
1100
608
231
43
42
40
49
203
284
79
18
20
71
20

2008a
959
446
177
31
25
34
35
144
228
43
15
16
8
203

2009
951
489
199
26
47
32
31
154
304
64
26
19
25
24

2010
918
477
240
26
34
29
20
128
305
54
23
20
13
26

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
aIn 2008, 203 cases were missing cause of death information. These cases were classified as “other/unknown.” See Methodology for more information.
bIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
cIndicates an incomplete death record or incomplete answer from survey respondent.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Table 2
Percent of local jail inmate deaths, by cause of death, 2000–2010
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-related
Cancer
Liver disease
Respiratory
All otherb
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicide
Other/unknown
Missingc

2000
100%
57.1%
21.9
6.3
3.4
2.4
3.5
19.5
32.0%
4.1%
2.8%
1.9%
1.9%
0.3%

2001
100%
51.6%
22.8
6.3
2.7
2.9
2.0
15.0
33.1%
6.2%
3.7%
2.0%
2.5%
0.8%

2002
100%
52.4%
22.8
5.3
4.0
2.6
2.4
15.4
32.4%
5.6%
3.5%
1.9%
3.6%
0.7%

2003
100%
51.1%
24.0
5.4
3.5
3.0
2.2
13.1
29.5%
8.9%
2.8%
1.5%
5.2%
1.0%

2004
100%
52.1%
22.2
5.1
2.8
3.0
3.4
15.5
29.3%
7.3%
3.1%
2.4%
4.9%
0.9%

2005
100%
47.9%
19.3
3.8
3.5
3.0
2.1
16.2
27.4%
7.9%
2.3%
2.1%
10.5%
1.8%

2006
100%
55.3%
22.5
4.9
3.6
2.5
2.5
19.4
25.4%
8.0%
2.9%
3.3%
4.8%
0.4%

2007
100%
55.3%
21.0
3.9
3.8
3.6
4.5
18.5
25.8%
7.2%
1.6%
1.8%
6.5%
1.8%

2008a
100%
46.5%
18.5
3.2
2.6
3.5
3.6
15.0
23.8%
4.5%
1.6%
1.7%
0.8%
21.2%

2009
100%
51.4%
20.9
2.7
4.9
3.4
3.3
16.2
32.0%
6.7%
2.7%
2.0%
2.6%
2.5%

2010
100%
52.0%
26.1
2.8
3.7
3.2
2.2
13.9
33.2%
5.9%
2.5%
2.2%
1.4%
2.8%

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
aIn 2008, 203 cases were missing cause of death information. These cases were classified as “other/unknown.” See Methodology for more information.
bIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
cIndicates an incomplete death record or incomplete answer from survey respondent.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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Table 3
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death, 2000–2010
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
AIDS-related
Cancer
Liver disease
Respiratory diseases
All other b
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicide
Other/unknown
Missingc

2000
151
86
33
10
5
4
5
29
48
6
4
3
3
1

2001
147
76
34
9
4
4
3
22
49
9
5
3
4
1

2002
145
76
33
8
6
4
3
22
47
8
5
3
5
1

2003
146
74
35
8
5
4
3
19
43
13
4
2
8
1

2004
143
74
32
7
4
4
5
22
42
10
4
3
7
1

2005
141
67
27
5
5
4
3
23
39
11
3
3
15
3

2006
142
78
32
7
5
3
3
27
36
11
4
5
7
1

2007
141
78
30
5
5
5
6
26
36
10
2
3
9
3

2008a
123
57
23
4
3
4
4
18
29
6
2
2
1
26

2009
128
66
27
3
6
4
4
21
41
9
3
3
3
3

2010
125
65
33
4
5
4
3
17
42
7
3
3
2
4

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information.
aIn 2008, 203 cases were missing cause of death information. These cases were classified as “other/unknown.” See Methodology for more information.
bIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
cIndicates an incomplete death record or incomplete answer from survey respondent.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Table 4
Number of local jail inmate deaths, by selected decedent characteristics, 2000–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convicted c
Unconvictedd
Time served
7 or fewer days
8–30
31–60
61–120
121–180
180 or more

2000
904

2001
942

2002
970

2003
1,002

2004
1,021

2005
1,045

2006
1,094

2007
1,100

2008
959

2009
951

2010
918

813
91

846
92

863
107

867
133

893
128

925
120

964
130

970
130

840
119

841
110

804
114

453
305
118
17

513
283
115
20

534
305
113
10

538
322
119
16

500
359
135
24

560
332
116
22

528
408
126
27

548
398
125
27

512
311
107
27

535
271
109
31

516
265
90
23

8
89
184
265
239
115

8
107
192
280
239
111

7
100
186
337
236
102

5
103
211
283
266
128

7
105
210
300
263
133

5
107
192
284
275
170

6
103
196
312
303
168

4
101
199
292
322
182

6
84
168
247
275
178

3
86
175
235
258
194

3
80
187
201
253
172

258
628

252
683

245
717

255
739

226
786

231
798

238
846

246
850

200
754

247
692

232
664

329
169
108
116
56
119

347
174
105
125
63
112

362
163
104
120
74
133

398
177
93
121
72
124

399
181
112
112
75
125

384
192
108
129
69
127

385
201
125
149
80
124

392
184
137
146
82
153

347
163
109
122
66
129

366
165
100
114
52
146

346
174
93
92
58
132

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
cIncludes inmates who returned on a probation or parole violation.
dIncludes inmates whose status was marked as “other” or was unspecified.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

6

•

Table 5
Percent of local jail inmate deaths, by selected decedent characteristics, 2000–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedc
Unconvictedd
Time served
7 or fewer days
8–30
31–60
61–120
121–180
180 or more

2000
100%

2001
100%

2002
100%

2003
100%

2004
100%

2005
100%

2006
100%

2007
100%

2008
100%

2009
100%

2010
100%

89.9%
10.1

90.2%
9.8

89.0%
11.0

86.7%
13.3

87.5%
12.5

88.5%
11.5

88.1%
11.9

88.2%
11.8

87.6%
12.4

88.4%
11.6

87.6%
12.4

50.7%
34.2
13.2
1.9

55.1%
30.4
12.4
2.1

55.5%
31.7
11.7
1.0

54.1%
32.4
12.0
1.6

49.1%
35.3
13.3
2.4

54.4%
32.2
11.3
2.1

48.5%
37.5
11.6
2.5

49.9%
36.2
11.4
2.5

53.5%
32.5
11.2
2.8

56.6%
28.6
11.5
3.3

57.7%
29.6
10.1
2.6

0.9%
9.9
20.4
29.4
26.6
12.8

0.9%
11.4
20.5
29.9
25.5
11.8

0.7%
10.3
19.2
34.8
24.4
10.5

0.5%
10.3
21.2
28.4
26.7
12.9

0.7%
10.3
20.6
29.5
25.8
13.1

0.5%
10.4
18.6
27.5
26.6
16.5

0.6%
9.5
18.0
28.7
27.8
15.4

0.4%
9.2
18.1
26.5
29.3
16.5

0.6%
8.8
17.5
25.8
28.7
18.6

0.3%
9.0
18.4
24.7
27.1
20.4

0.3%
8.9
20.9
22.4
28.2
19.2

29.1%
70.9

27.0%
73.0

25.5%
74.5

25.7%
74.3

22.3%
77.7

22.4%
77.6

22.0%
78.0

22.4%
77.6

21.0%
79.0

26.3%
73.7

25.9%
74.1

36.7%
18.8
12.0
12.9
6.2
13.3

37.5%
18.8
11.3
13.5
6.8
12.1

37.9%
17.1
10.9
12.6
7.7
13.9

40.4%
18.0
9.4
12.3
7.3
12.6

39.7%
18.0
11.2
11.2
7.5
12.5

38.1%
19.0
10.7
12.8
6.8
12.6

36.2%
18.9
11.7
14.0
7.5
11.7

35.8%
16.8
12.5
13.3
7.5
14.0

37.1%
17.4
11.6
13.0
7.1
13.8

38.8%
17.5
10.6
12.1
5.5
15.5

38.7%
19.4
10.4
10.3
6.5
14.7

Note: Mortality data are revised and updated as new data become available. Detail may not sum to total due to missing data.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Natives, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
cIncludes inmates who returned on a probation or parole violation.
dIncludes inmates whose status was marked as other or was unspecified.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

7

•

Table 6
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by selected decedent characteristics, 2000–2010
Characteristic
Totala
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic originb
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherc
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictedd,e

2000
151

2001
147

2002
145

2003
146

2004
143

2005
141

2006
142

2007
141

2008
123

2009
128

2010
125

153
133

150
124

146
138

143
162

142
145

143
127

143
130

142
129

123
120

129
121

122
123

211
128
107
52

224
111
98
57

223
114
92
27 !

218
117
94
43

195
126
102
61

213
122
85
37

193
145
89
44

198
139
87
43

188
111
67
38

205
101
72
46

201
101
60
34

122 !
52
96
169
396
870

114 !
59
93
167
371
785

95 !
53
87
193
350
691

69 !
53
96
160
362
785

96
53
92
165
325
732

68
52
81
153
311
848

82
49
80
153
313
758

58
48
81
156
299
729

86
40
67
138
259
666

44
42
72
143
257
712

43 !
40
78
124
255
640

98
187

95
182

92
179

94
177

80
182

82
173

81
176

83
175

69
154

85
152

80
149

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Detail may not sum to total due to missing data. Mortality rates
are based on the average daily population (ADP) as reported to the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP). See Methodology for more information on estimates of
ADP.
! Interpret data with caution; too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aRate for 2010 includes 22 deaths for which demographic data were missing.
bExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
cIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
dIncludes inmates who returned on a probation or parole violation. Forms were modified starting in 2009 to identify inmates who were convicted, or returned on a
probation or parole violation. As with previous years, these cases are counted as convicted. See Methodology for more information on changes to the survey.
eIncludes inmates whose status was marked as “other” or was unspecified.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010; Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2010; National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009; and
Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

8

•

Table 7
Number of jail deaths, by state and year, 2000–2010
State
All states
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
904
24
…
15
9
109
13
…
…
4
82
38
…
3
31
21
2
9
16
10
2
22
5
23
6
9
16
3
5
15
3
31
15
57
15
1
23
15
10
38
…
17
4
29
97
6
…
34
8
2
7
0

2001
942
27
…
18
13
124
16
…
…
0
98
39
…
3
21
21
4
9
13
22
2
20
10
17
8
12
14
1
5
18
2
17
9
52
17
1
20
18
10
50
…
23
2
28
84
6
…
41
10
6
11
0

2002
970
21
…
24
14
131
14
…
…
10
79
50
…
1
22
14
3
12
12
22
7
20
16
18
6
17
8
5
6
6
5
17
9
51
32
2
30
9
7
51
…
17
1
29
96
13
…
36
11
2
12
2

2003
1,002
15
…
16
22
126
13
…
…
12
85
45
…
2
30
23
1
10
14
32
3
25
9
26
9
17
17
5
2
6
3
38
7
47
22
2
30
13
7
53
…
11
0
23
96
7
…
42
16
6
11
3

2004
1,021
23
…
12
13
120
11
…
…
13
86
54
…
1
41
18
4
15
16
41
2
15
8
20
9
17
6
3
4
8
3
34
17
43
21
1
18
14
15
66
…
16
1
39
99
11
…
33
11
5
10
4

2005
1,044
23
…
27
7
156
18
…
…
11
79
41
…
7
25
16
4
11
22
31
1
23
21
29
8
16
10
6
2
14
1
32
11
51
17
0
24
18
8
57
…
19
3
36
88
10
…
30
11
6
11
3

2006
1,094
34
…
19
11
126
13
…
…
12
99
46
…
5
37
26
3
10
21
26
5
27
14
21
11
18
13
1
6
9
4
36
21
52
21
2
26
21
11
56
…
21
1
30
98
7
…
36
19
6
11
2

2007
1,100
21
…
21
10
129
21
…
…
10
103
44
…
7
31
18
5
7
25
31
1
32
14
18
8
18
25
2
2
10
4
34
15
52
28
1
26
24
3
55
…
14
1
35
90
11
…
59
15
4
15
1

2008
959
19
…
12
15
107
21
…
…
7
77
55
…
1
28
11
2
12
22
34
1
25
17
12
4
14
18
2
5
8
2
27
11
32
19
1
23
17
15
44
…
19
2
37
86
6
…
49
16
6
17
1

2009
951
20
…
11
5
133
14
…
…
8
87
45
…
6
29
16
6
11
17
22
2
20
17
20
3
13
19
6
7
14
5
25
11
37
21
2
26
18
7
37
…
15
2
34
76
12
…
38
14
7
11
2

2010
918
28
…
16
7
121
20
…
…
4
55
48
…
3
23
22
3
10
21
26
3
24
16
18
10
14
21
3
6
8
1
29
17
37
24
2
23
18
9
31
…
19
0
22
84
8
…
29
16
5
13
1

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Although data are presented by state, jails are locally run
jurisdictions under the authority of a sheriff, county government, or other local authority. Jail jurisdictions include counties (parishes in Louisiana) or municipal
governments that administer one or more local jails. See Methodology for more information on the function of jails.
… Not available. Prisons and jails form one integrated system. See the prison tables for mortality data.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

9

•

Table 8
Mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by state, 2000–2010
State
All states
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
151
185
…
138
171 !
150
142
…
…
242 !
166
113
…
112 !
178
165
66 !
177 !
139
44 !
154 !
210
53 !
145
121 !
91 !
211
232 !
234 !
288
338 !
205
253
208
122
162 !
143
208
150 !
135
…
194
344 !
143
167
112 !
…
170
93 !
71 !
54 !
0

2001
147
228
…
132
233
171
154
…
…
0
196
110
…
101 !
107
124
129 !
159 !
68
82
142 !
182
91 !
103
141 !
129
171
53 !
211 !
333
145 !
108
140 !
181
132
154 !
118
249
132 !
165
…
218
176 !
138
154
107 !
…
185
81 !
185 !
86 !
0

2002
145
157
…
189
229
173
126
…
…
618 !
145
132
…
30 !
106
95
83 !
195
86
81
464 !
166
136
108
101 !
167
89 !
277 !
241 !
106 !
323 !
104
136 !
166
212
268 !
161
119 !
110 !
153
…
140
77 !
138
171
223
…
152
91 !
65 !
89
216 !

2003
146
119
…
116
352
165
111
…
…
380
159
114
…
59 !
140
149
26 !
134 !
97
115
191 !
199
73 !
156
140 !
156
181
260 !
80 !
80 !
192 !
225
95 !
154
144
242 !
153
158
106 !
164
…
100 !
0
100
159
112 !
…
168
136
182 !
78 !
276 !

2004
143
171
…
82
211
154
95 !
…
…
573
143
128
…
34 !
201
109
110 !
219
98
143
135 !
116
61 !
111
128 !
162
60 !
149 !
140 !
116 !
181 !
196
210
141
128
114 !
91
154
230
200
…
138
74 !
168
157
169 !
…
129
93 !
138 !
69 !
325 !

2005
141
157
…
176
116 !
190
136
…
…
316 !
125
92
…
178 !
84
92
96 !
148 !
134
104
64 !
181
168
159
110 !
146
97 !
288 !
68 !
228
54 !
177
128 !
166
95
0
122
179
117 !
166
…
157
198 !
149
165
156 !
…
113
85 !
147 !
74 !
224 !

2006
142
228
…
126
172 !
154
94
…
…
518
153
100
…
127 !
181
139
75 !
130 !
124
100
283 !
207
101
112
151 !
164
116
50 !
219 !
139 !
195 !
189
233
161
115
201 !
126
191
165 !
155
…
165
64 !
92
144
107 !
…
127
142
139 !
73 !
133 !

2007
141
132
…
127
143 !
155
155
…
…
288 !
154
98
…
172 !
150
104
120 !
95 !
138
104
61 !
228
103
98
106 !
152
235
116 !
68 !
131 !
196 !
185
171
166
147
104 !
127
222
36 !
144
…
103
61 !
139
130
160 !
…
200
109
92 !
96
65 !

2008
123
118
…
67
203
128
160
…
…
223 !
115
115
…
25 !
134
62 !
49 !
156
122
117
63 !
184
128
68
56 !
127
154
112 !
159 !
106 !
99 !
151
121 !
106
98
113 !
119
169
238
118
…
139
130 !
139
124
87 !
…
170
119
138 !
110
65 !

2009
127
145
…
73 !
67 !
167
106
…
…
268 !
141
97
…
160 !
148
87
154 !
157 !
95
77
127 !
164
129
118
44 !
134
165
344 !
204 !
181
237 !
152
133 !
131
128
208 !
130
172
117 !
98
…
119
141 !
129
113
173
…
134
107
171 !
90 !
129 !

2010
125
186
…
121
94 !
162
157
…
…
129 !
97
102
…
85 !
114
124
75 !
130 !
120
81
282 !
194
149
109
146 !
133
197
154 !
177 !
108 !
48 !
182
191
123
129
223 !
132
209
153 !
87
…
155
0!
85
123
110 !
…
100
130
109 !
92
59 !

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Although data are presented by state, jails are locally run
jurisdictions. Mortality rates are based on the average daily population (ADP). Mortality rates between states are not directly comparable because rates are not adjusted
for age, sex, race, geographic location, or other characteristics. (See Methodology for more information on the function of jails and ADP.)
… Not available. Prisons and jails form one integrated system. See the prison tables for mortality data.
! Interpret data with caution; estimate based on too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

10

•

Table 9
Number of jail jurisdictions reporting to the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, by state and year, 2000–2010
State
All states
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia*
Wisconsin
Wyoming

2000
2,988
151
15
16
85
68
55
…
…
1
68
176
…
39
90
90
94
95
80
87
15
24
13
83
71
91
125
41
64
20
10
21
34
58
96
23
97
100
33
63
…
46
28
97
248
26
…
73
58
28
70
22

2001
2,973
149
15
15
84
67
55
…
…
1
68
174
…
38
89
91
93
95
78
86
15
24
13
83
71
90
125
41
63
20
10
21
35
58
96
23
96
100
33
63
…
46
29
97
247
26
…
72
58
28
70
22

2002
2,958
147
15
15
84
67
55
…
…
1
68
174
…
38
90
90
93
95
80
85
15
24
13
82
71
89
125
40
63
20
10
21
35
58
96
23
96
100
33
63
…
46
29
96
246
26
…
72
58
19
70
22

2003
2,941
146
14
15
83
67
55
…
…
1
68
172
…
38
90
90
93
95
79
85
15
24
13
82
71
88
124
40
63
20
10
21
34
58
96
23
93
99
33
63
…
45
29
96
245
26
…
72
57
18
70
22

2004
2,924
145
14
15
82
67
55
…
…
1
67
170
…
38
89
90
93
95
79
85
15
24
13
82
71
88
120
41
63
20
10
21
34
58
94
23
93
98
33
63
…
45
29
96
242
26
…
72
57
16
70
22

2005
2,897
142
15
15
83
66
55
…
…
1
67
167
…
38
90
90
93
95
76
83
15
24
13
82
71
85
119
40
63
20
10
21
32
58
94
23
93
96
32
63
…
45
28
96
242
26
…
69
56
13
70
22

2006
2,869
136
15
15
81
65
53
…
…
1
67
164
…
38
90
90
93
94
74
83
15
24
13
81
71
84
120
40
62
20
10
21
32
58
94
22
92
94
32
63
…
45
28
95
242
26
…
66
56
12
70
22

2007
2,848
132
15
15
81
64
53
…
…
1
67
162
…
37
90
90
93
94
74
83
14
24
13
81
71
84
119
40
62
20
10
21
32
58
94
21
91
93
32
63
…
45
28
94
237
26
…
64
56
12
70
22

2008
2,833
125
15
15
81
64
53
…
…
1
67
159
…
37
90
90
93
93
74
83
14
24
13
81
70
83
119
40
62
20
10
21
32
58
93
21
91
93
32
63
…
45
28
94
236
26
…
64
56
12
70
22

2009
2,755
116
14
15
77
64
53
…
…
1
65
152
…
36
90
89
92
91
70
78
14
23
13
81
68
80
112
38
61
20
10
20
29
56
89
22
91
88
32
62
…
45
26
90
233
26
…
64
56
12
69
22

2010
2,753
117
15
15
71
63
52
…
…
1
66
153
…
34
90
89
90
92
71
81
11
24
13
81
70
77
115
39
61
20
10
21
29
57
92
22
90
89
31
63
…
42
27
89
230
26
…
65
55
12
70
22

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Reporting jails include all jails that reported population or death
data to the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP). All jails are asked to report population data regardless of whether an inmate death occurred. Although data
are presented by state, jails are locally run jurisdictions under the authority of a sheriff, county government, or other local authority. Jail jurisdictions include counties
(parishes in Louisiana) or municipal governments that administer one or more local jails. See Methodology for more information.
… Not available. Prisons and jails form one integrated system. See the prison tables for mortality data.
*In 2007, the Bureau of Justice Statistics began receiving data from a centralized regional jail respondent that covered all West Virginia jails.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

11

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Table 10
Number of local jail inmate deaths, by cause of death and selected decedent characteristics, 2000–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic originb
White
Black/African
American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherc
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede
Time served
7 or fewer days
8–30
31–60
61–120
121–180
180 or more

Illness
Liver
Cancer
disease
383
328

Heart
disease
2,396

AIDSrelated
493

2,153
243

430
63

345
38

296
32

256
59

1,471
293

2,929
265

581
142

264
28

222
4

1,115

81

163

177

141

726

2,245

446

186

82

1,012
216
41

350
59
3

173
39
7

73
71
5

134
33
5

759
233
34

454
370
114

167
92
14

70
28
7

99
41
2

2
65
231
607
842
645

3
9
88
205
155
32

0
7
25
59
139
153

0
3
19
74
166
66

2
10
39
83
97
84

4
95
237
484
602
341

41
616
973
949
474
135

4
97
223
225
141
31

1
35
71
84
73
28

1
52
54
54
43
21

731
1,647

134
354

110
271

86
242

83
227

473
1,280

558
2,621

132
587

86
205

59
161

767
487
309
308
171
312

36
96
65
108
76
109

17
49
50
67
54
140

78
57
53
51
32
56

64
87
35
50
26
47

540
375
222
228
141
232

1,530
513
321
331
154
315

517
46
24
45
22
53

145
41
21
30
13
38

59
51
24
36
17
36

Respiratory All othera
315
1,765

Suicide
3,195

Drug/alcohol
intoxication Accident
723
292

Homicide
226

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Detail may not sum to total due to missing data.
aIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
bExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
cIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
dIncludes inmates who returned to jail on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes inmates whose status was marked as “other” or was unspecified.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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Table 11
Average annual mortality rate per 100,000 local jail inmates, by cause of death and selected characteristics, 2000–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic originb
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherc
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older
Legal status
Convictedd
Unconvictede

All
Heart
causes disease AIDS
139
30
6

Illness
Liver
Cancer disease Respiratory
5
4
4

All
othera
22

Suicide
41

Drug/alcohol
intoxication Accident Homicide
9
4
3

140
132

31
25

6
7

5
4

4
3

4
6

21
30

42
27

8
15

4
3

3

206
120
85
43

40
34
14
7

3
12
4
1!

6
6
3
1!

6
2
5
1!

5
5
2
1!

26
26
16
6

80
15
25
20

16
6
6
2

7
2
2
1!

3
3
3

14
79
83
156
310
736

3!
3
9
31
89
287

4!
-3
11
16
14

-1
3
15
68

0
-1
4
18
29

3!
-2
4
10
37

5!
4
9
25
64
152

53
28
39
49
50
60

5!
4
9
12
15
14

1!
2
3
4
8
12

1!
2
2
3
5
9

85
171

24
35

4
7

4
6

3
5

3
5

15
27

18
55

4
12

3
4

2
3

0

!

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Detail may not sum to total due to missing data. Mortality rates are
based on the average daily population (ADP) as reported to the Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP). See the Methodology for more information on estimations
of inmate characteristic populations.
-- Less than 0.5.
! Interpret with caution; too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
bExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
cIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
dIncludes inmates who returned on a probation or parole violation.
eIncludes inmates whose status was marked as “other” or was unspecified.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2000–2010; Annual Survey of Jails, 2000–2010; Survey of Inmates in Local Jails, 2002; and
National Inmate Survey, 2007–2009.

Table 12
Number of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death, 2001–2010
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
Cancer
Liver disease
Respiratory
AIDS-related
All othera
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicide
Other/unknown
Missingb

2001
2,869
2,567
770
663
234
139
272
489
168
35
22
39
0
38

2002
2,934
2,615
816
663
203
166
242
525
168
37
29
48
0
37

2003
3,152
2,830
821
784
257
202
209
557
199
23
26
49
25
0

2004
3,123
2,783
848
723
228
199
146
639
199
22
34
49
36
0

2005
3,168
2,817
856
781
250
221
154
555
213
37
28
56
17
0

2006
3,233
2,830
872
785
253
193
132
595
219
56
32
55
41
0

2007
3,389
2,980
863
744
266
220
120
767
215
41
28
57
16
52

2008
3,450
3,032
843
857
242
264
98
728
197
58
26
40
97
0

2009
3,414
3,020
873
939
270
197
94
647
201
50
31
55
0
57

2010
3,232
2,867
853
894
239
224
73
584
215
39
34
67
0
10

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
aIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
bIndicates an incomplete death record or incomplete answer from survey respondent. See Methodology for details.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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Table 13
Percent of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death, 2001–2010
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
Cancer
Liver disease
Respiratory diseases
AIDS-related
All other illnessesa
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicide
Other/unknown
Missingb

2001
100%
89.5%
26.8
23.1
8.2
4.8
9.5
17.0
5.9
1.2
0.8
1.4
0.0
1.3

2002
100%
89.1%
27.8
22.6
6.9
5.7
8.2
17.9
5.7
1.3
1.0
1.6
0.0
1.3

2003
100%
89.8%
26.0
24.9
8.2
6.4
6.6
17.7
6.3
0.7
0.8
1.6
0.8
0.0

2004
100%
89.1%
27.2
23.2
7.3
6.4
4.7
20.5
6.4
0.7
1.1
1.6
1.2
0.0

2005
100%
88.9%
27.0
24.7
7.9
7.0
4.9
17.5
6.7
1.2
0.9
1.8
0.5
0.0

2006
100%
87.5%
27.0
24.3
7.8
6.0
4.1
18.4
6.8
1.7
1.0
1.7
1.3
0.0

2007
100%
87.9%
25.5
22.0
7.8
6.5
3.5
22.6
6.3
1.2
0.8
1.7
0.5
1.5

2008
100%
87.9%
24.4
24.8
7.0
7.7
2.8
21.1
5.7
1.7
0.8
1.2
2.8
0.0

2009
100%
88.5%
25.6
27.5
7.9
5.8
2.8
19.0
5.9
1.5
0.9
1.6
0.0
1.7

2010
100%
88.7%
26.4
27.7
7.4
6.9
2.3
18.1%
6.7
1.2
1.1
2.1
0.0
0.3

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
aIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
bIndicates an incomplete death record or incomplete answer from survey respondent. See Methodology for details.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010.

Table 14
Mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by cause of death, 2001–2010
Cause of death
All causes
Illness
Heart disease
Cancer
Liver disease
Respiratory
AIDS-related
All othera
Suicide
Drug/alcohol intoxication
Accident
Homicide
Other/unknown
Missingb

2001
242
216
65
56
20
12
23
41
14
3
2
3
0!
3

2002
245
218
68
55
17
14
20
44
14
3
2
4
0!
3

2003
257
231
67
64
21
16
17
45
16
2
2
4
2
0!

2004
252
224
68
58
18
16
12
52
16
2
3
4
3
0!

2005
253
225
68
62
20
18
12
44
17
3
2
4
1
0!

2006
249
218
67
61
20
15
10
46
17
4
2
4
3
0!

2007
256
225
65
56
20
17
9
58
16
3
2
4
1
4

2008
260
228
64
65
18
20
7
55
15
4
2
3
7
0!

2009
257
228
66
71
20
15
7
49
15
4
2
4
0!
4

2010
245
217
65
68
18
17
6
44
16
3
3
5
0!
1!

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. State prison mortality rates are per
100,000 inmates held in state custody (including private facilities) on June 30th of each year. The mortality rates presented are not adjusted for age, sex, race, geographic
location, or any other characteristic.
! Interpret with caution; too few sample cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aIncludes other specified illnesses, such as cerebrovascular disease, nephritis, and diabetes and other moderately prevalent, but unspecified, illnesses. See Methodology
for details on illness classifications.
bIndicates an incomplete death record or incomplete answer from survey respondent. See Methodology for details.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010, National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2010

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

14

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Table 15
Number of state prisoner deaths, by selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

2001
2,869

2002
2,934

2003
3,152

2004
3,123

2005
3,168

2006
3,233

2007
3,389

2008
3,450

2009
3,414

2010
3,232

2,769
100

2,815
119

3,024
126

2,987
136

3,025
143

3,103
130

3,252
137

3,287
163

3,264
150

3,115
117

1,340
1,161
322
46

1,401
1,151
332
44

1,591
1,200
308
44

1,546
1,179
332
65

1,623
1,162
324
54

1,627
1,148
404
50

1,718
1,225
383
54

1,821
1,157
399
73

1,773
1,197
372
58

1,680
1,121
358
61

2
86
256
656
893
971

1
62
248
662
907
1,053

3
57
277
666
980
1,164

1
81
255
619
963
1,202

1
78
243
599
1,009
1,237

1
60
250
561
1,061
1,299

1
69
225
513
1,031
1,550

3
67
222
468
1,063
1,627

0
69
210
468
1,036
1,630

3
69
217
381
955
1,607

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010.

Table 16
Percent of state prisoner deaths, by selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

2001
100%

2002
100%

2003
100%

2004
100%

2005
100%

2006
100%

2007
100%

2008
100%

2009
100%

2010
100%

96.5%
3.5

95.9%
4.1

96.0%
4.0

95.6%
4.4

95.5%
4.5

96.0%
4.0

96.0%
4.0

95.3%
4.7

95.6%
4.4

96.4%
3.6

46.7%
40.5
11.2
1.6

47.8%
39.3
11.3
1.5

50.6%
38.2
9.8
1.4

49.5%
37.8
10.6
2.1

51.3%
36.7
10.2
1.7

50.4%
35.6
12.5
1.5

50.8%
36.2
11.3
1.6

52.8%
33.5
11.6
2.1

52.1%
35.2
10.9
1.7

52.2%
34.8
11.1
1.9

0.1%
3.0
8.9
22.9
31.2
33.9

--%
2.1
8.5
22.6
30.9
35.9

0.1%
1.8
8.8
21.2
31.1
37.0

--%
2.6
8.2
19.8
30.9
38.5

--%
2.5
7.7
18.9
31.9
39.1

--%
1.9
7.7
17.4
32.8
40.2

--%
2.0
6.6
15.1
30.4
45.7

0.1%
1.9
6.4
13.6
30.8
47.2

--%
2.0
6.2
13.7
30.4
47.8

0.1%
2.1
6.7
11.8
29.5
49.7

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
-- Less than 0.05%.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander,s and persons identifying two or more races.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

15

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Table 17
Estimated number of state prisoners in custody at midyear, by selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
1,187,800 1,199,900 1,225,700 1,239,700 1,252,400 1,297,200 1,321,700 1,327,000 1,326,500 1,320,600
1,110,400 1,121,300 1,143,100 1,155,500 1,165,300 1,205,100 1,227,200 1,232,100 1,232,500 1,228,400
77,400
78,700
82,600
84,200
87,100
92,200
94,500
94,900
94,000
92,200
425,100
530,900
160,600
27,400

433,800
524,500
165,900
29,000

458,900
523,400
169,900
30,000

453,500
519,000
180,000
30,900

462,800
517,500
183,200
31,600

475,000
523,300
189,900
33,700

479,700
531,100
196,100
34,600

485,800
536,900
187,000
34,600

482,900
532,600
191,200
36,100

480,400
528,000
195,000
35,600

2,900
217,800
403,200
362,900
153,100
47,900

3,000
216,800
400,900
362,900
163,800
52,600

2,500
215,700
408,100
364,000
176,500
57,600

2,500
218,200
412,800
368,200
178,500
58,300

2,500
220,400
418,300
372,000
180,400
58,900

2,800
227,500
429,500
384,500
185,600
60,400

2,600
232,200
440,600
391,800
190,000
62,000

2,500
189,100
434,000
391,500
232,100
77,800

2,500
189,100
433,800
391,400
232,000
77,800

2,400
189,500
427,800
339,900
255,900
105,100

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. Detail may not sum to total due to
missing data. The estimated number of state prisoners presented is rounded. Mortality rates based on this population (tables 19 and 24) are calculated on exact numbers.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2010.

Table 18
Mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

2001
242

2002
245

2003
257

2004
252

2005
253

2006
249

2007
256

2008
260

2009
257

2010
245

249
129

251
151

265
153

259
162

260
164

257
141

265
145

267
172

265
160

254
127

315
219
201
168

323
219
200
151

347
229
181
147

341
227
184
211

351
225
177
171

343
219
213
148

358
231
195
156

375
216
213
211

367
225
195
161

350
212
184
171

70 !
39
63
181
583
2,029

33 !
29
62
182
554
2,004

122 !
26
68
183
555
2,021

40 !
37
62
168
539
2,063

40 !
35
58
161
559
2,101

36 !
26
58
146
572
2,152

38 !
30
51
131
543
2,500

122 !
35
51
120
458
2,091

0!
36
48
120
446
2,096

127 !
36
51
112
373
1,529

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. Detail may not sum to total due to
missing data. State prison mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in state custody (including private facilities) on June 30th of each year. Prisoner demographic
subgroup frequencies are estimated based on the June 30th National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) custody counts, demographic data from the National Corrections
Reporting Program (NCRP), and the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities (SISCF). The mortality rates presented are calculated on exact population
numbers. The mortality rates presented are not adjusted for age, sex, race, geographic location, or any other characteristic.
! Interpret with caution; too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010, National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2010, and Survey of Inmates in State
Correctional Facilities, 2004.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

16

•

Table 19
Number of state prisoner deaths, by state, 2001–2010
State
All statesa
Alabama
Alaskab
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticutb
Delawareb
Florida
Georgia
Hawaiib
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Islandb
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermontb
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Federal prisoners

2001
2,869
87
8
64
42
287
42
30
16
182
93
7
17
86
46
9
21
36
71
6
70
29
114
13
36
57
6
7
27
2
69
11
175
66
3
115
51
24
122
3
69
4
51
408
5
3
71
29
17
48
5
301

2002
2,934
85
14
72
31
337
51
30
15
183
102
13
9
72
49
11
22
41
78
7
71
20
113
15
33
65
5
8
25
9
60
15
185
59
1
113
64
33
126
8
45
11
61
396
9
3
69
30
8
49
3
335

2003
3,152
92
4
84
39
333
47
36
19
221
126
8
12
80
56
13
32
45
70
2
67
30
127
13
58
65
12
7
24
6
47
11
198
74
1
91
71
25
147
8
63
11
97
383
10
5
93
31
15
41
2
346

2004
3,123
65
8
66
34
348
39
33
13
226
90
8
12
97
56
15
30
42
94
4
78
25
138
6
51
77
12
7
31
6
57
16
153
94
1
126
53
34
161
7
50
5
71
395
11
1
86
36
13
40
2
333

2005
3,168
66
4
78
38
366
54
40
19
244
122
8
13
72
45
19
19
43
89
0
57
37
140
13
61
68
12
8
28
8
60
18
170
69
1
121
74
37
149
2
75
4
76
351
8
6
84
45
10
29
8
388

2006
3,233
61
6
72
37
424
31
25
13
261
103
5
18
94
70
12
16
46
72
6
61
39
138
9
58
66
5
8
23
6
70
13
131
90
1
106
80
40
124
8
65
4
84
443
7
7
78
36
13
45
3
328

2007
3,389
54
10
61
46
395
42
27
15
249
143
13
14
104
54
17
20
46
82
1
57
39
117
13
77
78
5
12
39
6
60
22
148
99
0
123
98
36
150
9
72
8
73
435
7
1
103
39
19
43
8
368

2008
3,450
75
14
77
41
369
38
32
15
291
128
14
18
71
70
21
24
68
117
2
69
29
99
17
54
87
9
6
35
5
66
29
133
117
0
101
88
31
145
6
83
6
74
469
11
3
86
35
19
44
9
399

2009
3,414
80
7
85
50
392
49
29
12
278
125
11
13
75
91
14
20
57
108
4
56
29
148
12
52
81
3
11
35
9
58
21
142
86
0
120
79
34
165
7
49
4
69
426
17
3
87
44
18
42
7
376

2010
3,232
66
13
85
54
412
48
21
23
275
112
12
13
94
69
13
22
42
100
3
40
39
93
16
52
88
2
12
41
4
56
16
124
87
1
116
60
39
141
7
70
8
74
375
13
5
93
35
20
25
3
387

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions.
aIncludes nine prisoner deaths reported by the District of Columbia in 2001. As of December 30, 2001, sentenced felons from the District of Columbia were the
responsibility of the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
bPrisons and jails form one integrated system.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010 for state data, and National Prisoner Statistics for federal data, 2001–2006; and
federal Bureau of Prisons for federal data, 2007–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

17

•

Table 20
Mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by state, 2001–2010
State
All statesa
Alabama
Alaskab
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticutb
Delawareb
Florida
Georgia
Hawaiib
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Islandb
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermontb
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Federal prisoners

2001
242
365
192 !
236
378
178
247
167
225
253
205
137 !
323
188
237
111 !
246
313
364
355 !
293
278
236
208
242
202
227 !
181 !
271
86 !
241
191 !
252
208
296 !
254
232
226
333
90 !
322
150 !
290
278
121 !
216 !
231
189
489
241
329 !
220

2002
245
318
333
247
266
213
284
157
220
249
220
252
163 !
167
245
135 !
251
337
394
385 !
293
199
226
223
214
218
171 !
200 !
248
363 !
208
252
275
178
87 !
252
288
291
321
221 !
203
373 !
343
268
219 !
218 !
223
187
225 !
240
191 !
232

2003
257
333
90 !
275
343
207
252
187
280
286
268
151 !
214
185
265
155
354
354
354
102 !
278
298
256
178
365
215
420
169 !
236
242 !
179
179 !
300
220
88 !
200
326
210
363
226 !
270
363 !
501
247
227 !
349 !
299
192
392
188
126 !
227

2004
252
261
179 !
212
269
213
198
175
192
276
185
146 !
204
219
256
174
327
336
480
201 !
328
249
284
77 !
322
256
490
173 !
280
247 !
217
252
236
267
82 !
285
235
268
401
200 !
214
158 !
365
253
242 !
49 !
277
212
326
181
115 !
208

2005
253
257
87 !
240
302
223
266
210
275
287
256
140 !
212
161
197
221
210
324
454
0
246
364
286
155
370
219
451
186 !
251
326 !
228
274
269
188
74 !
273
322
290
363
59 !
325
118 !
391
224
168 !
304 !
271
272
252 !
133
407 !
233

2006
249
251
123 !
202
293
242
144
128
183
295
200
86 !
278
207
293
139
179
298
354
296 !
265
365
272
100 !
354
219
172 !
176 !
185
216 !
239
191
206
239
72 !
226
347
306
291
219 !
284
111 !
433
280
141 !
327 !
251
209
304
202
148 !
192

2007
256
222
195 !
165
349
224
187
135
205
268
269
230
193
228
215
193
225
301
393
47 !
249
352
231
144
454
261
172 !
269
299
205 !
208
337
232
256
0
248
415
269
333
236 !
308
237 !
377
274
138 !
46 !
324
214
409
188
399 !
211

2008
260
302
269
199
310
218
165
155
208
297
237
257
242
155
269
240
277
450
559
92 !
299
256
196
193
305
290
298 !
134 !
269
173 !
261
458
214
298
0
201
368
230
317
154 !
339
180 !
379
293
213 !
144 !
253
193
383
196
537 !
229

2009
257
316
135 !
211
377
226
211
146
174
276
253
200 !
189
165
336
166
232
372
527
197 !
244
255
314
130
297
266
97 !
242 !
275
316 !
238
324
238
211
0
235
330
247
331
189 !
201
117 !
354
268
329
136 !
266
254
360
189
400 !
181

2010
245
241
239
210
388
247
211
109
350
269
214
226
187
198
255
143
248
290
500
157 !
179
347
204
170
309
290
65 !
259
330
136 !
229
237
217
217
83 !
228
245
281
294
209 !
288
234 !
366
236
244
232 !
292
203
393
112
144 !
179

Note: State prison mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates in state custody (including private facilities) on June 30th of each year. Federal prison mortality rates are per
100,000 inmates in custody on December 31st of each year. Deaths in federal prisons are not included in the calculations of rates across all states. The state-specific
population frequencies used in these calculations are the latest available and may not reflect updates that have been made to the total number of state prison inmates.
Mortality rates between states are not directly comparable because rates are not adjusted for specific characteristics.
! Interpret with caution; too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aIncludes nine prisoner deaths reported by the District of Columbia in 2001. Sentenced District of Columbia felons became the responsibility of the federal Bureau of
Prisons (BOP) in 2002.
bPrisons and jails form one integrated system.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010, and National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2010.

Table 21
Number of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death and selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

Heart
disease
8,415

Liver
Cancer disease
7,833
2,442

Illness
Respiratory
diseases
2,025

All other
AIDS illnesses
1,540
6,086

Suicide
1,994

Drug/alcohol
intoxication
398

Accident
290

Homicide
515

8,234
181

7,500
333

2,318
124

1,921
104

1,460
80

5,739
347

1,893
100

384
14

278
12

511
4

4,428
3,194
685
101

4,195
2,827
661
129

1,299
607
473
60

1,101
711
189
21

318
1,040
169
12

2,800
2,384
792
97

1,158
419
330
80

231
72
79
16

157
89
35
8

234
176
88
15

1
80
408
1,296
2,366
4,262

0
43
200
882
2,498
4,206

1
8
54
381
1,226
772

1
45
139
276
484
1,078

0
16
204
661
512
147

2
93
368
1,070
2,088
2,460

9
288
656
571
341
129

0
24
111
146
88
29

1
22
64
74
72
57

1
64
144
149
106
51

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Detail may not sum to total due to missing data.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010.

Table 22
Percent of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death and selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

Heart
Liver
disease Cancer disease
100%
100% 100%

Illness
Respiratory
diseases
100%

AIDS
100%

All other
illnesses
100%

Suicide
100%

Drug/alcohol
intoxication
100%

Accident Homicide
100%
100%

97.8%
2.2

95.7%
4.3

94.9%
5.1

94.9%
5.1

94.9%
5.2

95.0%
5.7

94.9%
5.0

96.5%
3.5

95.9%
4.1

99.2%
0.8

52.7%
38.0
8.1
1.2

53.7%
36.2
8.5
1.7

53.3%
24.9
19.4
2.5

54.5%
35.2
9.3
1.0

20.7%
67.6
11.0
0.8

46.1%
39.3
13.0
1.6

58.3%
21.1
16.6
4.0

58.0%
18.1
19.8
4.0

54.3%
30.8
12.1
2.8

45.6%
34.3
17.2
2.9

--%
1.0
4.8
15.4
28.1
50.7

0.0%
0.5
2.6
11.3
31.9
53.7

0.0%
0.3
2.2
15.6
50.2
31.6

0.0%
2.2
6.9
13.6
23.9
53.3

0.0%
1.0
13.2
42.9
33.2
9.5

0.0%
1.5
6.1
17.6
34.3
40.5

0.5%
14.4
32.9
28.6
17.1
6.5

0.0%
6.0
27.9
36.7
22.1
7.3

0.3%
7.6
22.1
25.5
24.8
19.7

0.2%
12.4
28.0
28.9
20.6
9.9

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. Detail may not sum to total due to
missing data.
-- Less than 0.05%.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

19

•

Table 23
Average mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by cause of death and selected characteristics, 2001–2010
Characteristic
Total
Sex
Male
Female
Race/Hispanic origina
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
Otherb
Age
17 or younger
18–24
25–34
35–44
45–54
55 or older

Heart
disease
66

Liver
Cancer disease
62
19

Illness
Respiratory
diseases
16

AIDS
12

All other
illnesses
48

Suicide
16

Drug/alcohol
intoxication
3

Accident Homicide
2
4

70
21

63
38

20
14

16
12

12
9

49
40

16
11

3
2

2
1

4
-- !

95
61
38
31

90
54
36
40

28
12
26
19

24
13
10
6

7
20
9
4

60
45
44
30

25
8
18
25

5
1
4
5

3
2
2
2!

5
3
5
5

4!
4
10
35
121
647

0!
2
5
24
128
639

4!
-- !
1
10
63
117

4!
2
3
7
25
164

0!
1
5
18
26
22

8!
4
9
29
107
374

35 !
14
16
15
18
20

0!
1
3
4
5
4

4!
1
2
2
4
9

4!
3
3
4
5
8

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. Detail may not sum to total due to
missing data. State prison mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in state custody (including private facilities) on June 30th of each year. Prisoner demographic
subgroup frequencies are estimated based on the June 30th National Prisoner Statistics (NPS) custody counts, demographic data from the National Corrections
Reporting Program (NCRP), and the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State Correctional Facilities (SISCF). The mortality rates presented are calculated on exact population
numbers. The mortality rates presented are not adjusted for age, sex, race, geographic location, or any other characteristic.
-- Less than 0.5.
! Interpret with caution; too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aExcludes persons of Hispanic/Latino origin unless specified.
bIncludes American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islanders, and persons identifying two or more races.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010; National Prisoner Statistics; Prisoners at Midyear series, 2001–2006; Survey of
Inmates in State Correctional Facilities, 2004.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

20

•

Table 24
Number of state prisoner deaths, by cause of death and state, 2001–2010
Illness
Heart
Liver
Respiratory
All other
All causes disease Cancer disease diseases
AIDS illnesses

Drug/ alcohol
Other/
State
Suicide intoxication Accident Homicide unknown Missing
31,964 8,415 7,833
2,442
2,025
1,540 6,086
1,994
398
290
515
232
194
All statesa
Alabama
731
169
169
60
40
32
172
12
1
7
8
43
18
Alaskab
88
19
9
6
2
0
18
16
6
7
2
1
2
Arizona
744
168
190
95
51
19
119
61
18
2
18
1
2
Arkansas
412
133
107
16
28
21
63
25
1
7
9
2
0
California
3,663
658
843
362
252
108
796
326
127
25
131
22
13
Colorado
441
87
80
61
40
0
100
36
16
10
11
0
0
Connecticutb
303
75
38
46
14
6
71
46
2
3
2
0
0
Delawareb
160
38
29
7
9
18
32
17
1
0
2
1
6
Florida
2,410
499
689
150
168
232
523
68
7
18
34
11
11
Georgia
1,144
383
296
73
81
69
140
57
1
9
25
4
6
Hawaiib
99
19
23
11
3
2
19
16
0
1
4
0
1
Idaho
139
41
38
5
8
1
22
18
0
1
2
1
2
Illinois
845
250
226
45
44
58
116
76
7
9
9
3
2
Indiana
606
178
138
46
39
16
102
40
16
10
15
4
2
Iowa
144
32
49
5
12
3
22
18
0
0
1
1
1
Kansas
226
52
63
21
11
1
55
13
2
5
2
1
0
Kentucky
466
157
134
29
21
24
84
11
1
3
1
0
1
Louisiana
881
224
227
52
28
83
190
15
0
5
4
20
33
Maine
35
12
8
4
1
1
5
2
1
0
1
0
0
Maryland
626
140
118
30
25
94
90
50
46
4
22
6
1
Massachusetts
316
92
75
18
18
7
52
33
9
4
1
5
2
Michigan
1,227
447
334
54
62
33
182
70
11
17
8
1
8
Minnesota
127
22
37
11
3
1
34
16
2
1
0
0
0
Mississippi
532
221
126
22
28
17
79
21
3
8
6
1
0
Missouri
732
221
187
83
41
18
120
39
4
5
11
1
2
Montana
71
13
18
12
3
0
13
9
1
1
1
0
0
Nebraska
86
20
16
9
3
2
17
3
3
2
0
4
7
Nevada
308
74
60
15
8
9
81
17
1
2
6
10
25
New Hampshire
61
13
18
5
2
2
11
8
2
0
0
0
0
New Jersey
603
162
134
26
40
74
101
34
8
5
8
5
6
New Mexico
172
31
44
15
18
2
37
16
3
1
5
0
0
New York
1,559
413
374
72
77
187
243
127
14
19
13
16
4
North Carolina
841
221
253
65
66
48
133
27
2
15
9
1
1
North Dakota
9
3
2
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
Ohio
1,132
350
343
59
84
27
185
59
1
5
13
4
2
Oklahoma
718
180
173
70
53
18
113
36
15
11
33
12
4
Oregon
333
71
93
38
14
4
69
23
10
5
2
4
0
Pennsylvania
1,430
423
349
132
78
30
318
66
6
8
8
1
11
Rhode Islandb
65
14
11
1
1
3
7
15
3
3
1
4
2
South Carolina
641
248
106
36
41
33
128
26
1
1
19
1
1
South Dakota
65
24
5
6
5
1
10
9
0
3
2
0
0
Tennessee
730
222
163
47
43
36
146
31
13
6
17
2
4
Texas
4,081 1,059
877
376
335
124
966
248
15
28
34
16
3
Utah
98
20
14
5
6
0
21
23
3
1
2
2
1
Vermontb
37
8
8
6
1
4
1
5
3
0
0
0
1
Virginia
850
223
273
66
51
46
123
32
1
3
7
18
7
Washington
360
92
97
41
22
9
62
20
3
6
5
3
0
West Virginia
152
63
46
3
7
5
23
3
1
0
1
0
0
Wisconsin
406
113
116
20
31
10
57
50
4
3
0
0
2
Wyoming
50
16
7
3
6
1
11
4
1
1
0
0
0
Federal
3,561
…
…
…
…
146 3,101
148
73
1
58
28
6
prisoners
Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. Detail may not sum to total due to missing

data.
… Not available. With the exception of AIDS-related deaths, the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) did not break out illness deaths by a specific cause of death (e.g., cancer and liver disease).
aIncludes nine prisoner deaths reported by the District of Columbia in 2001. As of December 30, 2001, sentenced felons from the District of Columbia were the responsibility of the
federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
bPrisons and jails form one integrated system. Data include total jail and prison population.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010, and National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2006; and the federal Bureau of Prisons, 2007–2010.

Table 25
Average mortality rate per 100,000 state prisoners, by cause of death and state, 2001–2010
State
All statesa
Alabama
Alaskab
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticutb
Delawareb
Florida
Georgia
Hawaiib
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Islandb
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermontb
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Federal prisoners

Illness
Heart
Liver
Respiratory
All other
Drug/ alcohol
All causes disease Cancer disease diseases
AIDS illnesses Suicide intoxication
252
66
62
19
16
12
48
16
3
287
66
66
24
16
13
67
5
-- !
185
40
19 !
13 !
4!
0
38
34
13 !
217
49
55
28
15
6
35
18
5
328
106
85
13
22
17
50
20
1!
219
39
50
22
15
6
48
20
8
213
42
39
30
19
0
48
17
8
156
39
20
24
7
3!
37
24
1!
230
55
42
10 !
13 !
26
46
24
1!
276
57
79
17
19
27
60
8
1!
231
77
60
15
16
14
28
12
-- !
182
35
42
20 !
6!
4!
35
29
0
219
65
60
8!
13 !
2!
35
28
0
187
55
50
10
10
13
26
17
2!
258
76
59
20
17
7
43
17
7
168
37
57
6!
14
4!
26
21
0
255
59
71
24
12 !
1!
62
15
2!
338
114
97
21
15
17
61
8!
1!
439
111
113
26
14
41
95
7
0
10 !
5!
177
61
40 !
20 !
5!
5!
25 !
268
60
51
13
11
40
39
21
20
297
86
70
17
17
7!
49
31
8!
250
91
68
11
13
7
37
14
2!
155
27
45
13 !
4!
1!
41
20
2!
325
135
77
13
17
10
48
13
2!
244
74
62
28
14
6
40
13
1!
249
46
63
42
11 !
0
46
32 !
4!
200
46
37
21 !
7!
5!
39
7!
7!
266
64
52
13
7!
8!
70
15
1!
229
49
68
19 !
8!
8!
41 !
30 !
8!
225
60
50
10
15
28
38
13
3!
270
49
69
24
28
3!
58
25
5!
245
65
59
11
12
29
38
20
2
229
60
69
18
18
13
36
7
1!
72 !
24 !
16 !
8!
0
0
16 !
8!
0
239
74
73
12
18
6
39
12
-- !
311
78
75
30
23
8
49
16
7
262
56
73
30
11
3!
54
18
8!
333
99
81
31
18
7
74
15
1!
182
39
31 !
3!
3!
8!
20 !
42
8!
275
106
46
15
18
14
55
11
-- !
201
74
15 !
19 !
15 !
3!
31 !
28 !
0
381
116
85
25
22
19
76
16
7
262
68
56
24
22
8
62
16
1
206
42
29
10 !
13 !
0
44
48
6!
195
42 !
42 !
32 !
5!
21 !
5!
26 !
16 !
269
70
86
21
16
15
39
10
-- !
213
54
57
24
13
5!
37
12
2!
355
147
108
7!
16 !
12 !
54
7!
2!
186
52
53
9
14
5!
26
23
2!
279
89
39 !
17 !
33 !
6!
61 !
22 !
6!
213
…
…
…
…
9
185
9
5

Accident
2
3!
15 !
1!
6!
1
5!
2!
0
2
2!
2!
2!
2!
4!
0
6!
2!
2!
0
2!
4!
3
1!
5!
2!
4!
5!
2!
0
2!
2!
3
4
0
1!
5!
4!
2!
8!
-- !
9!
3!
2
2!
0
1!
4!
0
1!
6!
…

Homicide
4
3!
4!
5
7!
8
5!
1!
3!
4
5
7!
3!
2!
6
1!
2!
1!
2!
5!
9
1!
2!
0
4!
4!
4!
0!
5!
0!
3!
8!
2
2!
0!
3
14
2!
2!
3!
8
6!
9
2
4!
0
2!
3!
2!
0
0
3

Other/
unknown
2
17
2!
-- !
2!
1
0
0
1!
1!
1!
0
2!
1!
2!
1!
1!
0
10
0
3!
5!
-- !
0
1!
-- !
0
9!
9!
0
2!
0
3
-- !
0
1!
5
3!
-- !
11 !
-- !
0
1!
1
4!
0
6
2!
0
0
0
2

Missing
2
7
4!
1!
0
1
0
0
9!
1!
1!
2!
3!
-- !
1!
1!
0
1!
16
0
-- !
2!
2!
0
0
1!
0
16 !
22
0
2!
0
1!
-- !
0!
-- !
2!
0!
3!
6!
-- !
0
2!
-- !
2!
5!
2!
0
0
1!
0
2

Note: Data may have been revised from previously published statistics to reflect updated information. Excludes data on executions. Detail may not sum to total due to missing data.State
prison mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in state custody (including private facilities) on June 30th of each year. Federal prison mortality rates are per 100,000 inmates held in
federal custody on December 31st of each year. Deaths in federal prisons are not included in the calculation of rates across all states. The state-specific population frequencies used in these
calculations are the latest available, and may not reflect updates that have been made to the total number of state prison inmates. The mortality rates presented are not adjusted for age, sex,
race, geographic location, or any other characteristic.
… Not available. With the exception of AIDS-related deaths, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) did not break out illness deaths by a specific cause of death (e.g., cancer and liver disease).
! Interpret with caution; too few cases to provide a reliable rate. See Methodology for more information.
aIncludes nine prisoner deaths reported by the District of Columbia in 2001. As of December 30, 2001, sentenced felons from the District of Columbia were the responsibility of the federal
Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
bPrisons and jails form one integrated system.
Sources: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Deaths in Custody Reporting Program, 2001–2010, and National Prisoner Statistics, 2001–2006; and the federal Bureau of Prisons, 2007–2010.

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

22

•

Methodology
Data collection coverage
The Deaths in Custody Reporting Program (DCRP) is
an annual data collection conducted by the Bureau of
Justice Statistics (BJS). The DCRP collects national, state,
and incident-level data on persons who died while in the
physical custody of the 50 state departments of corrections
or the roughly 3,000 local adult jail jurisdictions nationwide.
The DCRP began in 2000 under the Death in Custody
Reporting Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-297), and it is the only
national statistical collection to obtain comprehensive
information about deaths in adult correctional facilities. BJS
uses DCRP data to track national trends in the number and
causes (or manners) of deaths occurring in state prison or
local jail custody.
Mortality data measured by the DCRP include decedent
characteristics, such as sex, race and ethnicity, age, date of
admission, conviction status, admission offense, and the
location and type of facility (prison or jail) where the inmate
died. The DCRP also collects data about circumstances
surrounding the death, including the cause, time and
location death occurred, and information on whether an
autopsy was conducted and the availability of results to the
respondent. In cases of deaths due to illness, the DCRP
collects data on whether the decedent had a pre-existing
medical condition for which he or she received medical
treatment prior to death. Data on executions are excluded
from this report but are accessible on the BJS website
along with the DCRP mortality data. Statistics presented
in this report are current as of September 1, 2012. For
more information on mortality in correctional settings,
see Mortality in Local Jails, 2000–2007, BJS website, NCJ
222988, July 2010; Medical Causes of Death in State Prisons,
2001–2004, BJS website, NCJ 216340, January 2007; and
Suicide and Homicide in State Prisons and Local Jails, BJS
website, NCJ 210036, August 2005.
The DCRP data collection instruments are administered
annually to both state prisons and local jails. Respondents
provide an aggregate count of the number of deaths that
occurred during the referenced calendar year. State prison
respondents provide counts through the National Prisoner
Statistics data collection, and local jails provide aggregate
counts through the Annual Survey of Jails. The jail (CJ-9)
and prison (NPS-4A) survey instruments used to obtain
data on each prison and jail death are available on the BJS
website.
In addition to the death count, BJS requests that jails
provide summary statistics about their population and
admissions. All jails, including those with no deaths to
report, which includes about 80% of jails in any given
year, are asked to complete the annual summary survey
form. BJS obtains a separate report describing decedent
characteristics and the circumstances surrounding the death

for each death occurring in a state prison or local jail. State
prison and local jail respondents can submit individual
records on decedents at any time during a collection cycle
through a BJS web-based collection system, accessible at
https://bjsdcrp.rti.org/.
BJS has modified the survey instruments slightly over time,
including changes to clarify questions and respondent
burden. Several questions were added to capture any
medical treatment received by the inmate prior to death.
Changes also allowed respondents to elaborate on cause
of death by adding text boxes to the intoxication, suicide,
and inmate-involved homicide death questions. These
fields had previously only been available for deaths due to
illness, accident, homicides not caused by other inmates,
and other unspecified causes. In addition, BJS clarified
respondent instructions on the prison forms and removed a
question collecting the conviction status of an inmate after
an analysis showed that more than 99% of prison inmates
were convicted at the time of death. BJS also streamlined the
survey layout to simplify the progression through questions
related to autopsies. Rather than initially submitting an
incomplete instrument that indicated pending autopsy
results, respondents were permitted to complete the entire
survey only after autopsy results were available. This change
reduced follow-up contact and respondent burden.
Starting in 2001, and annually thereafter, BJS has collected
DCRP data directly from state prison systems, maintaining a
100% response rate.
The jail universe includes all jails currently operating
and jails that have been contacted for the DCRP but have
closed, consolidated, or otherwise eliminated operations.
This universe allows BJS to determine jail participation in
the DCRP. The most recent jail universe, constructed in
2012, identified 2,821 jurisdictions, representing 3,236 jail
facilities. Of these, 2,753 (97.6%) participated in the DCRP,
a slight decrease from the 98% to 99% participation in
previous years.
A jail jurisdiction is a legal entity that has responsibility
for managing jail facilities. Jail jurisdictions typically
operate at the county level, in which a sheriff ’s office or
jail administrator manages the local facilities. The DCRP
data identify the jail facility in which a jail inmate dies,
but the data are arrayed at the jail jurisdiction level. BJS
defines a jail as a locally operated correctional facility that
confines persons before or after adjudication for more than
72 hours, excluding temporary lockups. Typically, there is
one facility per jail jurisdiction, but the 2006 Census of Jail
Facilities found that 15% of jail jurisdictions had multiple
facilities under a central authority (see BJS website for more
information).

Mortality in Local Jails and State Prisons, 2000-2010—Statistical Tables | December 2012	

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•

Determining eligibility for reporting to DCRP
In the DCRP, the term “custody” refers to the holding of
an inmate in a facility or to the period during which a
correctional authority maintains a chain of custody over
an inmate. For instance, if a jail transports an ill inmate to
a hospital for medical services and that inmate dies while
in the chain of custody of the jail, that death is counted as a
death in custody. A death that occurs when an inmate is not
in the custody of correctional authority is considered beyond
the scope of DCRP. Out-of-scope deaths include inmates
on escape status or under the supervision of community
corrections on probation, parole, or home-electronic
monitoring.
BJS instructs both state prison and local jail officials to
determine whether the inmate was in the physical custody of
the jurisdiction at the time of death, regardless of the reason
an inmate was being held. For state prisons responding
to the survey, inmates in physical custody include those
held in any private prison facility under contract to the
responding state’s department of corrections or in any of
their state-operated facilities, including halfway houses,
prison camps or farms, training or treatment centers, and
prison hospitals.
BJS instructs state prison officials to exclude deaths of
inmates who were transferred to local jails while still serving
a prison term because the DCRP obtains information about
such deaths through the jail reports. Jail inmate custody
includes inmates who are temporarily out of the jail facility
but are within the chain of custody of the jail. For example,
a death in custody would include jail inmates who died after
being transferred to an offsite facility that cares for critically
ill persons. Between 2000 and 2010, the DCRP data show
that more than a third (41%) of jail inmate deaths occurred
in medical facilities outside of the jail facility.
Custody is further complicated by the dual law enforcement
and jail administration functions of some sheriffs’ offices.
As a result, some deaths reported as jail deaths actually
occurred before the jail had custody of the decedent. BJS
identifies and excludes from DCRP these deaths that
occurred in the process of arrest by using information about
the circumstances surrounding the death.
Identifying and excluding duplicate records
Duplicate death records may occur in the DCRP due to
overlapping correctional populations as well as overlapping
duties within correctional facilities. For example, a jail
jurisdiction may have more than one unit responsible for
reporting data to BJS, or a jail may be holding a state prison
inmate. Multiple entities may report the same death, or
state prison systems may report on the death of an inmate
who was transferred to a local jail but was serving a prison
sentence at the time.

To identify duplicate death records, BJS reconciles the
aggregate summary counts of deaths occurring during a
calendar year with the number of individual death records
obtained from a reporting jurisdiction. When discrepancies
are found, BJS contacts reporting jurisdictions to clarify
matters. However, even if summary counts and individual
reports are reconciled, there may be duplicates if multiple
reporting units within a jurisdiction provide reconciled data.
Duplicate records occur primarily in reports from jail
jurisdictions that have multiple reporting entities. To identify
duplicate records, BJS performs record-matching based on
inmate name and date of birth, date of death, and date of
admission into a correctional facility. After the aggregate
count review, BJS searches for deaths reported to both the
jail and prison DCRP collections, which most commonly
occur when a local jail is housing an inmate for the state
department of corrections. The death is considered part of
the count of the facility that had custody of the inmate at the
time of death, and the duplicate record is deleted.
Overall, BJS’ review of death records between 2000 and
2010 found 108 jail and 346 prison deaths to be duplicates
or beyond the scope of the DCRP. This results in error
rates of 0.0099 for jails and 0.0108 for prisons. Duplicate
and out-of-scope records are excluded from the analyses
presented by BJS.
Cause of death information
The DCRP instructs respondents to report death
information as determined by an autopsy or other official
medical death investigation. For this collection, intoxication
deaths, accidental deaths, suicides, and homicides are
considered discrete causes of death. While there is a
distinction between manner and cause of death from a
medico-legal standpoint, no such distinction is made in
the DCRP. When reporting a death due to illness, accident,
suicide, intoxication, or homicide, BJS requests that
respondents describe the events surrounding these deaths.
Illness death descriptions are later converted by clinical
data specialists into standard medical codes according to
the World Health Organization’s International Statistical
Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth
Revision (ICD-10).
Other BJS sources of correctional mortality data
BJS collects other data reported to the DCRP on correctional
mortality and deaths that occur in the process of arrest.
These other collections include—
ƒƒCapital Punishment, which provides data on legal
executions. Further discussion on executions is accessible
on the BJS website.
ƒƒNational Prisoner Statistics (NPS), which annually
collected aggregate counts of deaths in state and federal
prisons prior to the establishment of the DCRP. Prior to

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2007, the NPS also collected counts of deaths by cause of
death, including deaths due to execution, illness, AIDS,
suicide, accident, homicide, and other causes. After 2006,
the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) continued to submit
counts of deaths by cause of death using the DCRP, but no
longer provided counts of deaths using the NPS. Further
discussion of the NPS is accessible on the BJS website.
ƒƒThe Census of Jail Inmates, conducted every 5 to 6 years,
provides counts of inmate deaths in local jails. Further
discussion of the Census of Jail Inmates is accessible on
the BJS website.
ƒƒThe Survey of Jails in Indian Country (SJIC), which
provides aggregate counts of the number of deaths
occurring in all known Indian country correctional
facilities operated by tribal authorities or the U.S.
Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs. Further
discussion of the SJIC is accessible on the BJS website.
ƒƒArrest-Related Deaths (ARD), which obtains data on
deaths that occurred during the process of arrest. Statelevel respondents provide details of deaths that occurred
during arrest. Further discussion of ARD is accessible on
the BJS website.
Reported statistics
Mortality data are shown in statistical tables by type of
correctional institution (state prisons and local jails) and
include the number of deaths and mortality rates by year,
cause of death, selected decedent characteristics, and state.
Mortality rates are calculated per 100,000 inmates, with the
denominators providing estimates of the number of personyears of exposure in custody in institutional corrections.
The mortality rate for state prisons is calculated as the
number of deaths per year divided by the midyear state
prison population in custody multiplied by 100,000. Midyear
custody counts for state prisons provide estimates of personyears for prison populations. BJS uses data from the NPS to
provide midyear custody counts of prisoners.
The mortality rate in local jails is calculated as the number
of deaths per year divided by the average daily jail inmate
population (ADP) multiplied by 100,000. The ADP for local
jails is defined as the average daily number of jail inmates
held in a jail jurisdiction during a calendar year, from
January 1 through December 31.
The ADP is used as the denominator for jail mortality rates
to accommodate the high turnover and daily fluctuation
in local jail populations. Also, the ADP better reflects the
number of inmate days per year than a one-day count. Jail
populations have a higher turnover than prison populations;
mean stay in local jails is about 21 days as compared to 2
years for state prisons.

The jail ADP also reflects the annual number of admissions
and mean length of stay, and can be expressed as the product
of these two values. When mean length of stay is expressed
in years, the ADP is equivalent to the number of personyears spent by jail inmates during a given year. BJS obtains
the jail ADP data directly from jails through the DCRP
(using the summary form, CJ-9A). Starting in 2002, BJS
collected the ADP directly from respondents. Prior to 2002,
BJS calculated the jail ADP by taking the average of the
January 1 count from the prior year and the December 31
count from the reference year, which is an appropriate proxy
measure for ADP.
Both denominators provide for annualizing mortality rates,
which are calculated separately by group or characteristic.
The annualized mortality rates in state prisons and local jails
are comparable to annual crude mortality rates reported by
the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
NCHS calculates crude mortality rates as the number of
events for a period (e.g., a year) divided by the population
estimate at the midpoint of the period. For general
population mortality statistics, NCHS employs the midyear
population as an approximation to the average population
exposed to risk of death during any given year. For more
information, see Siegal, J. & Swanson, D. (2004). The
Methods and Materials of Demography, Second Edition. San
Diego, CA: Elsevier Academic Press, 269.
The crude mortality rates reported in the DCRP annual
statistical tables are not directly comparable to the crude
mortality rates within the (nonincarcerated) general
population, and the crude mortality rates in state prisons
are not directly comparable to those of local jails. The
composition of the general population (age, sex, and race)
differs from population in state prisons and local jails.
Because mortality is correlated with age, race, and sex, the
crude mortality rates in state prisons, local jails, and the
general population should not be compared.
Individual inmate death records collected annually in
the death file are included in the national death count.
Independent jail-specific summary death counts are
collected on the annual summary form (CJ-9A) and serve
as control death totals. If the death count in the summary
form file is greater than the count in the individual inmate
death file, the summary file count is used as the total count
in calculating a jail mortality rate. For year 2010, individual
records for jail inmate deaths were adjusted to match
independent counts of deaths occurring in each jail and the
mortality rates were adjusted accordingly.
Estimating inmate population characteristics for use in
calculating mortality rates by demographic subgroups
BJS does not obtain annual data for all demographic
characteristics of prison and jail inmates in all jurisdictions.
BJS uses data from sources other than the DCRP to estimate

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the nationwide age, race, and sex composition of state
prison and local jail inmate populations. These data sources
consist primarily of periodic surveys of inmates in custody
in prisons and jails. The inmate characteristic distributions
obtained from these surveys are applied to denominators
(counts of inmates or ADP) to estimate the number of
inmates in each demographic subgroup.
BJS estimated the demographic distribution of the state
prison population data from the National Prisoner Statistics
(NPS) and National Corrections Reporting Program
(NCRP) collections. For a discussion on the methodology
for obtaining estimates of the age, race, and sex distributions
of state prisoners, see Prisoners in 2010 on the BJS website.
Prior to BJS using NPS and NCRP to estimate demographic
distributions, reports of mortality rates for state prison
inmates used demographic distributions derived from BJS’
2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional
Facilities (SISCF). Consequently, the state prison mortality
rates shown in these tables may differ from previously
published rates. A rate comparison between the two sources
showed very little difference in the resultant mortality
rates. In most instances, the rates either matched or
nearly matched. In only three instances did the rates differ
(Hispanic in 2001; females and inmates ages 55 or older in
2002). In each instance, the rates calculated using population
data from the NCRP and NPS were slightly higher (less than
a 1% increase) than rates calculated using population data
from the SISCF.
To estimate the distributions of demographic attributes of
the ADP for inmates, BJS used data from several surveys to
generate distributions of age, sex, and race, and applied these
distributions to the ADP. BJS’ Annual Survey of Jails (ASJ)
provided estimates of the sex distribution of inmates for
each year of the DCRP collection and applied these to each
year’s ADP from the DCRP to estimate the average daily
population of male and female jail inmates. The Jail Inmates
at Midyear 2010 report documents that the distributions of
inmate characteristics have changed slowly over time. For
the most recent information on the ASJ, see the BJS website.
To estimate the race and ethnic distribution of adult jail
inmates, BJS used data from the Survey of Inmates in
Local Jails (SILJ) and the National Inmate Survey (NIS)
to estimate the relative distribution of adults by race and
ethnic category for different periods. The SILJ estimates were
used to cover the period from 2000 to 2004 and the NIS
estimates were used to cover the period from 2005 to 2010.
In both cases, the percentages associated with each race and
ethnic category were applied to the adult jail average daily
population.
BJS did not annually collect data on the age distribution of
jail populations. Rather, BJS obtained estimates of the age
distribution of jail inmates from periodic surveys of jail
inmates, including the 2002 Survey of Inmates in Local Jails

(SILJ) and the National Inmate Survey (NIS) from 2007
through 2009, which are accessible on the BJS website. For
more information about jail inmates in 2002, see Profile of
Jail Inmates on the BJS website.
To estimate the age distribution of the jail inmate
population, BJS first obtained an estimate of the number of
jail inmates under 18 years of age from the Annual Survey
of Jails (ASJ). According to Jail Inmates at Midyear 2010
(table 6), annually from 2000 through 2010, the number of
jail inmates under age 18 ranged between 6,100 and 7,615.
By applying the annual percentage of jail inmates under age
18 to the annual average daily jail inmate population, we
obtained an estimate of the average daily population of jail
inmates under age 18.
To estimate the age distribution of adult jail inmates, BJS
used data from the Survey of Inmates in Local Jails (SILJ)
and the National Inmate Survey (NIS) to estimate the
relative distribution of adults by age category for different
periods. We used the SILJ estimates to cover the period
from 2000 to 2006 and the NIS estimates to cover the period
from 2007 to 2009. In both cases, we applied the percentages
associated with each age category to the adult jail average
daily population.
Random error and suppression
The DCRP data on deaths in state prisons and local jails are
not subject to sampling error. However, mortality data from
a complete or near complete enumeration may be subject
to random error. Following the methodology of Brillinger
and NCHS, “the number of deaths that actually occurred
may be considered as one of a large series of possible results
that could have arisen under the same set of circumstances”
(NCHS, 2007). The random variation can be large when
the number of deaths is small; hence considerable caution
is warranted when interpreting statistics based on small
numbers of deaths. According to NCHS standards, mortality
rates based on fewer than 100 deaths per year should be
interpreted with caution. For more information on vital
rates, see Brillinger, D. R. (1986). The natural variability of
vital rates and associated statistics. Biometrics 42:693-734.
See also the National Vital Statistics Reports. Deaths: Final
Data for 2007, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr58/nvsr58_19.pdf.
Continuing to use NCHS and Brillinger methods, we
quantify random variation by assuming that the appropriate
underlying distribution is a Poisson probability distribution.
This provides for a computationally simple, as well as
reasonable, approach to estimate variances for mortality
statistics when the probability of dying is low. We calculated
variances based on the assumption of a Poisson process
and from these variances calculated “relative random error”
estimates, which are comparable to relative standard error,
in that the relative random error is the ratio of random error

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derived from the Poisson variance to the number of deaths.
Following NCHS, when the relative random error exceeded
30 percent, we flagged estimated mortality rates due to the
instability of the rate.
Survey performance issues
Survey administration and modifications to the survey
form generated data for years 2007 through 2009 that
may not be wholly compatible with prior DCRP data. In
2012, BJS identified a previously undetected data error
mischaracterized over 600 illness-related deaths as illnessrelated deaths missing detailed cause of death information,
leading to an inflated frequency of prison deaths in reference
year 2007 being characterized as ‘all other illnesses’ while
simultaneously depressing frequencies of known illnesses
(i.e. heart disease, cancer, liver disease, etc). The error was
identified and resolved, correcting the distributions. In
2008, local jail officials were unable to provide causes of
death for 22% of jail inmate deaths. During 2009, BJS made
modifications to the collection instruments to improve
reporting and reduce burden.

ƒƒItem nonresponse in 2008 jail data and unknown cause of
death: An abnormally large number of cases were missing
a response for cause of death in the 2008 jail file (n=203;
21.4% of all jail deaths in 2008). This coincided with
the final year the U.S. Census Bureau acted as the data
collection agent for DCRP. In prior years of the DCRP
jail data collection, an average of 6% of all causes of death
was classified as “other” or “unknown.” For the purposes
of this report, BJS categorized all of these 203 jail deaths
from 2008 as missing data about cause of death.
ƒƒ2009 data collection: Prior to fielding the 2009 DCRP
collection, BJS reviewed the data collection instrument
and data submission procedures, and assessed the
communications with DCRP respondents with the goal to
reduce burden on respondents. The survey was modified to
facilitate navigation and to encourage online response. The
modifications led to delays in implementing data collection.
As a result, death reports were not collected in the year the
deaths occurred, but were instead collected retrospectively
during 2010 for the first time. Data collection for
subsequent years resumed on a normal schedule.

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The Bureau of Justice Statistics is the statistical agency of the U.S.
Department of Justice. James P. Lynch is the director.
Margaret E. Noonan and RTI analyzed the data; the report was prepared by
Margaret E. Noonan. E. Ann Carson verified the report.
Kim Aspinwall carried out data collection and processing with assistance
from Sarah Love, under the supervision of Chris Ellis, RTI International.
Scott Ginder and Todd Heinrich provided statistical and technical assistance,
respectively.
Catherine Bird, Jill Thomas, and Morgan Young edited the report, and
Barbara Quinn produced the report, under the supervision of Doris J. James.
December 2012, NCJ 239911

NCJ239911
Office of Justice Programs
Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods
www.ojp.usdoj.gov