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https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/deaths-on-probation

Rise in deaths of offenders on probation since reforms
https://github.com/bbc-data-unit/deaths-on-probation

offenders prisoners-rights shareddataunit

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Rise in deaths of offenders on probation since reforms

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# Rise in deaths of offenders on probation since reforms



![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/660/cpsprodpb/662B/production/_104555162_suecapelwithsoncasparattheangelofthenorthin2009courtesyofthecapelfamily.jpg)



In April 2019 the BBC Shared Data Unit [reported](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46386117) the number of people dying while on probation in England and Wales had risen by almost a third in three years.



Campaign groups said there had been "institutional indifference" towards offenders released from custody.



A social worker said her job had become "a treadmill of bureaucracy".



The Ministry of Justice said a "great deal of caution was needed when trying to draw conclusions" from its figures.



The BBC's Shared Data Unit analysed Ministry of Justice data from 2015-16 to 2017-18.



It found:



- Last year 966 deaths of offenders were recorded, compared to 752 in 2015-16

- About one in three of those deaths were self-inflicted

- In 2014-15, there were 558 deaths, but that was before 40,000 extra offenders were brought under supervision following government reforms 



This piece of content was produced by a regional newspaper reporter working alongside BBC staff.



The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:



* The Northern Echo: [Probation reforms criticised after hundreds die while under supervision](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17573064.probation-reforms-criticised-after-hundreds-die-while-under-supervision/) *15 April 2019*

* The Northern Echo: [Opinion: Probation is not working](https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/opinion/17573265.probation-is-not-working/) *15 April 2019*

* Essex: The Gazette: [Sodexo chief says he cannot be 'responsible for someone’s life on probation'](https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/17575547.sodexo-chief-says-he-cant-be-responsible-for-someones-life-on-probation/) *15 April 2019*

* Basildon: Yellow Advertiser: [Essex probation company defends record as suicides and homicides shoot up after privatisation](https://www.yellowad.co.uk/article.cfm?id=141535&headline=Essex%20probation%20company%20defends%20record%20as%20suicides%20and%20homicides%20shoot%20up%20after%20privatisation&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2019) *15 April 2019*

* Bradford Telegraph & Argus: [Number of people who died while on probation increases by 138%](https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/17570723.number-of-people-who-died-while-on-probation-increases-by-138/) *15 April 2019*

* Teesside Live: [More and more offenders are dying when they leave prison - with 'self-inflicted' deaths on the rise](https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/more-more-offenders-dying-leave-16128718) *15 April 2019*

* Nottinghamshire Live: [Number of people dying after leaving prison has risen over the last four years](https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/uk-world-news/number-people-dying-after-leaving-2738931) *15 April 2019*

* Leicestershire Live: [Number of people dying after leaving prison leaps in 4 years since private companies took over probation roles](https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/number-people-dying-after-leaving-2738382) *15 April 2019*

* Cornish Stuff: [News Insight: Probation deaths rise in an “irredeemably flawed” system](https://cornishstuff.com/2019/04/15/news-insight-probation-deaths-rise-in-an-irredeemably-flawed-system/) *15 April 2019*

* York: The Press: [Shock offender death figures revealed](https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/17574801.number-of-offenders-who-die-while-under-supervision-revealed/) *16 April 2019* 

* Yorkshire Evening Post: [Why campaigners are "extremely concerned" by these deaths of people under probation supervision in West Yorkshire](https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/crime/why-campaigners-are-extremely-concerned-by-these-deaths-of-people-under-probation-supervision-in-west-yorkshire-1-9715886) *16 April 2019*

* Planet Radio: Hallam FM: [Calls for investigations into the rising number of probation deaths in South Yorkshire](https://planetradio.co.uk/hallam/local/news/calls-for-investigations-into-the-rising-number-of-probation-deaths-in-south-yorkshire/) *17 April 2019* 

* Northampton Chronicle & Echo: [Fears Northamptonshire's probation service is 'failing' offenders after death rate triples](https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/fears-northamptonshire-s-probation-service-is-failing-offenders-after-death-rate-triples-1-8894417) *17 April 2019*

* Daventry Express: [Fears Northamptonshire's probation service is 'failing' offenders after death rate triples](https://www.daventryexpress.co.uk/news/fears-northamptonshire-s-probation-service-is-failing-offenders-after-death-rate-triples-1-8894417) *17 April 2019*

* Rochdale Online: [Number of deaths whilst on probation highest in the north west](https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/127359/number-of-deaths-whilst-on-probation-highest-in-the-north-west) *24 April 2019*



The story was also used by [South East Today](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HF9ublcgvr6GAeMgZRLJVTQ9KAJqBhIV/view?usp=sharing), BBC Tees, BBC Radio Kent, BBC Surrey and BBC Sussex.



## Get the data 



* [Analysis, with sheets for England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Ti4TO1Yz0agguM_BJhluCEFuT4cGNkH3iGrbEW0x1Hs/edit?usp=sharing)



## Background and briefing



* [A full briefing pack on the story can be found here](https://docs.google.com/document/d/13o7pZkKY_dAMdTcLiDwn_YcMAwyZ2xlS-j7Hi5UMsgo/edit?usp=sharing)