Last month, the Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody Chair published their end of term report. Lynn Emslie has been the Chair of the IAPDC from February 2023 to February 2026. The report sets out the Panel’s work with Government and custody settings to reduce preventable deaths across prisons, policing, immigration detention, Approved Premises and Mental Health Act detention.
In the report’s foreword, Lynn Emslie said:
“Deaths in custody remain unacceptably high across all settings – a stark reminder of why our work is so critical. Safeguarding the lives of those detained by the state requires robust oversight, collaboration, and a relentless focus on learning.”
The IAPDC have presented a predictive modelling, linking growing prison population pressures to a projected 21% rise in self-inflicted deaths by 2029, highlighting the need for targeted mental healthcare and suicide-prevention measures.
Statistical evidence shows that mortality rates for individuals in prison continue to be significantly higher than those for the general population.
The IAPDC Report seeks to explore how increases in the prison population and occupancy pressures may affect future mortality trends across different causes of death, including self-inflicted deaths. Drawing on a ten-year analysis (2014 2024) of prison mortality and overcrowding in England and Wales, it models the projected total annual deaths for the period 2025–2029, highlighting the risks posed by sustained overcrowding and the growing prison population.
Projections from the Ministry of Justice indicate a sustained increase in the prison population – from approximately 88,000 in 2025 to 100,800 by 2029. As the prison population in England and Wales continues to grow, so too does the risk of death to those in custody.
The IAPDC model suggests that prisons operating above capacity experience significantly higher rates of self-inflicted and natural deaths. Overcrowded prisons are less able to deal with self-harm and suicidality and also not fully meeting increasing healthcare and staffing pressures. The report outlines the importance of targeted suicide and self-harm prevention in prisons.
The Independent Sentencing Review, published in May 2025, advocates for a shift toward more effective, community-based alternatives to custody and a reduction in unnecessary imprisonment – measures that would directly alleviate overcrowding.
How Farleys can help
Here at Farleys, we have represented numerous bereaved family members at inquests where their loved ones have died in prison. We can guide you through the process, and often legal aid will be available for families (without having to satisfy financial tests) where the death relates to an unnatural death in prison.
Some of our recent case studies include:
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The inquest into the death of Steven Hart at HMP Bedford, where the jury found a number of failings of the prison Inquest into Death at HMP Bedford Finds Multiple Failings
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The inquest into the death of Aaron Taylor at HMP Garth, where the jury found his death was contributed to by multiple failures across all levels of the prison regime ‘Multiple Failings’ Contributed to Death of Aaron Taylor at HMP Garth
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The inquest into the death of Jason Lee McQuoid at HMP Risley, where the jury found several failures with Jason’s care.
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The inquest into the death of Oliver Davies at HMP Hewell, where the jury found Oliver’s death was contributed to by neglect and found a number of failings contributed to his death.
If you have lost a loved one in prison and wish to speak about legal representation, please contact our inquest team today on 01254 606 008, get in touch by email, or use the online chat below.
