Information in respect of deaths in current young offender institutions1—which are exclusively male—is contained in the following table and associated notes. Establishments change and combine functions from time to time. Working out the precise make-up of the YOI estate over the 10 years and matching that to the timings of deaths could be done only at disproportionate cost.
Year/Cause of death Age group Number of deaths 1997 Natural causes 21 1 Self-inflicted2 15-17 1 Self-inflicted 18-20 5 Self-inflicted 21 3 1998 Homicide 15-17 1 Self-inflicted 15-17 2 Self-inflicted 18-20 3 Self-inflicted 21 2 1999 Self-inflicted 18-20 9 Self-inflicted 21 2 2000 Homicide 18-20 1 Self-inflicted 15-17 3 Self-inflicted 18-20 3 Self-inflicted 21 3 2001 Self-inflicted 15-17 3 Self-inflicted 18-20 3 Self-inflicted 21 1 2002 Self-inflicted 15-17 1 Self-inflicted 18-20 4 Self-inflicted 21 1 2003 Self-inflicted 18-20 1 Self-inflicted 21 2 2004 Self-inflicted 18-20 3 2005 Other non-natural 18-20 1 Self-inflicted 15-17 2 Self-inflicted 18-20 7 2006 Self-inflicted 18-20 1 1 The single-function young offender institutions referred to are: Aylesbury; Ashfield; Brinsford; Castington; Deerbolt; Feltham; Glen Parva; Hindley; Huntercombe; Lancaster Farms; Moorland Open (Hatfield); Northallerton; Portland; Reading; Rochester; Stoke Heath; Swinfen Hall; Thorn Cross; Warren Hill; Werrington and Wetherby. 2 The Prison Service definition of self-inflicted deaths is broader than the legal definition of suicide and includes all deaths where it appears that a prisoner has acted specifically to take their own life. This inclusive approach is used in part because inquest verdicts are often not available for some years after a death (some 20 per cent. of these deaths will not receive a suicide or open verdict at inquest). Annual numbers may change slightly from time to time as inquest verdicts and other information become available.