Statistics and monitoring

INQUEST carries out comprehensive monitoring and collating of statistics relating to deaths in prison, in police custody and following police contact, and deaths of immigration detainees. This is a unique data set derived from official sources and our own casework.

As well as monitoring deaths we keep track of unlawful killing conclusions (formerly known as verdicts) found at inquest's, and prosecutions relating to deaths. You can find details of unlawful killing conclusions and prosecutions here.

Please credit 'INQUEST casework and monitoring' when citing these statistics.

If you have questions about these statistics or require a more comprehensive break down for research or journalism, please see our media enquiries page.

Deaths in police custody

Deaths in prison

Deaths of immigration detainees

Coroner concludes care of Oliver McGowan was ‘appropriate’ despite parents pleas not to use medication which led to the teenagers death
Our mission

Here we outline INQUEST's priorities for the period 2018 to 2021, the year of our 40th anniversary: including our mission, our goals, and our key projects.
Family Hub

The hub is dedicated to families. It offers vital resources on post-death processes and opportunities for families to call for state accountability and justice.
Our impact

INQUEST has been the driving force behind improvements in the investigation and inquest process and the support offered to bereaved people for 35 years.

Family of Gaia Pope call for answers as the IOPC announce investigation into Dorset Police following the death of the missing teenager
Deaths in police custody
About INQUEST

INQUEST is the only charity providing expertise on state related deaths and their investigation to bereaved people, lawyers, advice and support agencies, the media and parliamentarians.
Inquest into the death of learning disabled man Richard Handley who died of constipation at Ipswich Hospital opens Monday
Inquest into the death of Emily Hartley in New Hall prison opens Monday 15 January
Deaths in prison
Help and advice

We provide free and independent advice to bereaved people following a death in state care or detention in England and Wales, and in other cases where wider issues of state and corporate accountability are in question.
BAME deaths in police custody
Work for us
Useful resources

INQUEST has produced two invaluable resources for families and friends going through an inquest, and for those who would like to know more about their rights following a death.

Jury identifies multi agency failures in the care of Jack Portland

Inquest finds failings in discharge and resettlement process at HMP Woodhill. Read more

Court of Appeal to consider lawfulness of Coroner’s directions in the Mark Duggan Inquest

Family seeks to quash the inquest conclusion, arguing that jury was misdirected. Read more

Inquest jury highlights failures at HMP Elmley after death of Levi Smith

Levi Smith died at HMP Elmley in November 2014 - the fourth self-inflicted death in the prison that year. Read more