DEATHS in custody “remain at historically high levels,” campaigners said today following an annual report showing that hundreds of investigations have been launched.

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) has launched 311 investigations into deaths in custody over the last year.

Of those, 83 deaths were self-inflicted, 31 were other non-natural deaths, 176 were from “natural causes” – often relating to issues with healthcare – with the remaining 19 deaths awaiting classification. 

The majority (93 per cent) were deaths in prison, six of them of women and four of them of young men under the age of 21.

There was one investigation into a death in immigration detention and 17 deaths of people in probation-approved premises – five more than last year.

Significantly, there were also three “discretionary” investigations –two relating to court and one on a stillbirth in prison.

The PPO also raised concerns about the use of Pava incapacitant spray – similar to pepper spray –which it found had not been used in accordance with the requirements of the policy.

Pava spray has recently been rolled out in all closed adult-male prisons, despite significant concerns from the public and human-rights bodies. 

Deborah Coles, Director of Inquest campaign group – which monitors state-related deaths – said: “The number of deaths in prison remain at historically high levels, with investigations finding many are preventable. 

“The work of the PPO is essential, but their recommendations are ultimately only as good as their implementation. Today’s report provides yet more evidence of the shameful lack of action and change.
 
“At a time when people in prison are living through extreme restrictions – in conditions that amount to solitary confinement – we are deeply frustrated to read yet another report shedding light on the failures of mental-health provision, even before these restrictions were introduced.”