Deaths in prisons

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Corrections has a duty of care to all people in prison, which we take very seriously. While our prison population has fluctuated in recent years, the complexity of people coming into our management has changed. Our staff are managing a growing number of people, including a greater proportion of defendants remanded in custody, who often have high mental health and disability needs. Our research shows that people in prison have higher rates of complex health needs and mental health and substance use disorders than the general population. It is estimated that 62 percent of people in prison met the diagnostic criteria for either a mental health or substance use disorder within the last 12 months, and 91 percent will meet these diagnostic criteria at some time over the course of their lives.

Corrections is committed to supporting the mental wellbeing and physical safety of people in our custody. While we make every effort to prevent incidents of self-harm, suicide, and other unnatural deaths, any death in custody is taken seriously and is subject to investigation and review. Through these processes, including independent oversight by the Office of the Inspectorate, we seek to understand what occurred, identify opportunities for improvement, and strengthen our systems and practices

For a variety of reasons, both individual and systemic, people in prison may not have had their health needs detected or addressed in the community. When a person enters prison, they undergo an induction process by custodial and health services. This includes health assessments undertaken by health staff, which assess each person’s physical and mental health needs, including whether they may be at risk of self-harm or suicide, and whether they require a referral to a doctor or other services to address immediate and/or general mental and addictions health care needs. Staff also assess people for a risk of self-harm and suicide whenever they become aware that a person’s circumstances have changed, or their behaviour is a cause for concern.

Our Health Services staff work hard to ensure all people in prison receive a standard of healthcare that is reasonably equivalent to that available to the public. Every New Zealand prison has a range of health services available. This includes General Practitioner services, nursing, basic dentistry, physiotherapy, disability and mental health and addictions services. Where secondary or tertiary healthcare services are required, referrals are made on the same basis as any person in the community.

Corrections is committed to preventing unnatural deaths and incidents of self-harm in prisons. The causes of suicide are complex and people in prison are a known high-risk group. As we have become more aware of the level of significant mental health issues for people in prison, our role has expanded to strengthen our response to support the needs of this group. We make every effort to ensure people’s mental wellbeing and physical safety during their time in custody.

Data set for deaths in prisons – national and by prison

Data provided for the current financial year is as at 30 September 2026, and is subject to change until the full-year process has been completed.

Corrections classifies deaths in custody by the following definitions:

  • Unnatural deaths – deaths found by the coroner to be caused by homicide, suicide, accidental causes or a drug overdose, or where there is sufficient evidence to suggest to Corrections that this is the most likely cause of death.
  • Natural deaths – where a prisoner has died of natural causes.

All deaths in prison are subject to an internal incident review, investigation by the independent Corrections Inspectorate, and are also referred to the Coroner. The Inspectorate and Coroner both complete a robust independent assessment of each incident providing commentary and recommendations regarding the care and treatment of individuals. In addition, the Coroner confirms the cause of death.

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