July 2013

Kinner says the study looked at the mortality of people after being released from prison. More than 42 000 records were examined in Queensland and the main causes of death were found to be preventable, including drug overdose, suicide and injuries. Kinner says corrective services have a role to play in reducing the risk of death.

The risk of death was found to be four times greater for those newly released from prison, than those in the community. For young women under 25 years, the risk was more than 20 times greater.

Kinner reports that two things that could be done better include:

i) rolling out naloxone provision, the overdose reversal drug; and

ii) providing transitional care for people after release from prison to assist them to connect with services and find stable accommodation etc.

Listen to the full interview here.