Deaths in prison custody surge to highest level since 2012, figures show

The number of people dying while in prison custody has surged to the highest level since 2012, figures have revealed.

Some 54 deaths were recorded in prison custody in 2023-24 – 15 higher than the year before.

Overall, 399 people have died in prison custody since 2012.

Ten of the deaths over the latest year were recorded as probable suicides – up one since the year before.

Suicides were the most common cause of death overall, with 115 probable suicides recorded since 2012, accounting for 29% of all prison custody deaths.

Diseases of the circulatory system were recorded as the second most common cause of death across the reporting period, with 83 fatalities between 2012-13 and 2023-24, 20.8% of all deaths.

There were 12 deaths in prison custody associated with diseases of the circulatory system in the latest year, up two from 2022-23 and the highest annual figure across the reporting period.

Probable suicide remains the biggest cause of death in prison (Victoria Jones/PA) PA Media

There were 62 drug misuse deaths in prison custody across the reporting period 2012-13 to 2023-24, 15.5% of the total, with 12 such fatalities in 2023-24 – a rise of three from the year prior.

Some 47 people died of cancer between 2012-13 and 2023-24, accounting for 11.8% of the total.

There were 11 deaths in prison custody caused by cancer in the latest year, up six from 2022-23 and the highest annual figure across the reporting period at nearly twice the level of the previous peak of six in 2020-21.

According to the chief statistician’s report, the risk of death in the male prison population has been significantly lower than in the male general population in each year since 2012.

In 2021-22 and 2023-24, the risk was closer to that of the general population but still remained significantly lower.

The risk of male probable suicide deaths in prison custody was significantly higher in 2019-22, 2020-23 and 2021-24 compared to the general male population, while it was similar to the general population across the rolling periods 2012-15 to 2018-21.

The risk of male drug misuse deaths in the prison population was similar to the general male population in 2020-23 and 2021-24 but significantly lower between 2012-15 and 2019-22.

Justice secretary Angela Constance said every death in custody is a ‘tragedy’ (PA) PA Media

Justice secretary Angela Constance said: “Every death in custody is a tragedy, and our thoughts remain with the families, friends and staff who are affected.

“Keeping people safe in our prisons continues to be a top priority for this Government. Over the past year we have taken further steps to strengthen how vulnerable people are supported in custody.

“This includes developing and testing an anti-ligature audit toolkit, removing dangerous cell fixtures, introducing a new suicide prevention policy to replace Talk to Me, and piloting Signs of Life technology. A 72-hour enhanced observation process has also been introduced for young people when they first enter custody.

“We appointed Professor Graham Towl as the independent reviewer in March 2025, and both the independent review of Talk to Me and SPS’s new Commitment to Change: Suicide Prevention Pathway were published in December 2025. A new prison-focused national oversight mechanism will be established to strengthen independent scrutiny of deaths in custody.”

A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: “The death of anyone in our care is a profound loss for all who knew and supported the individual. Behind every statistic in this report is a person, and we never lose sight of that.

“Our commitment to improving safety, care and wellbeing across the prison estate remains unwavering. Together with our partners, we will continue to learn, deepen our understanding, and strengthen the systems and supports that protect people in our care.”