Deaths in Custody in Shelby County, Tennessee, January 1970-July 1985

Abstract
The purpose of this study is to review retrospectively the deaths that have occured in the Shelby County detention center from 1970 to 1985. The Shelby County data are compared and contrasted with other studies to discern significant and preventable causes of death in custody. This study confirmed natural causes as most prevalent; however, suicide accounted for > 20% of all deaths (15-50-fold greater than the general population). Suicide occured by hanging in > 90% of cases. This is a preventable cause of death while in custody, and means of prevention are addressed

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