ReviewCureus2026
Understanding Deaths in Custodial Environments: A Systematic Review of Global Trends and Risk Factors.
Review in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Deaths in custodial settings mark a critical intersection of human rights, public health, and state accountability and serve as a key indicator of systemic deficiencies within correctional institutions. Evidence consistently shows that suicide is the leading cause of death in custody, especially during the early detention period. This trend reflects increased psychological vulnerability, pre-existing mental health issues, and limited access to specialized care. Natural causes - such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, infections, and complications from chronic illnesses - also make up a significant portion of deaths, often associated with limited healthcare access, delayed treatment, and resource shortages, particularly in overcrowded or underfunded facilities. Additional factors include substance abuse, absence of rehabilitation programs, and violent incidents, suggesting potential limitations in supervision, policy enforcement, and institutional oversight. This study was conducted using a systematic review methodology, with the aim of identifying and synthesizing evidence on the causes of death among individuals in custody across different detention settings and geographical regions. The findings emphasize the ongoing disconnect between international legal frameworks, such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Mandela Rules), and their actual application across jurisdictions. As a response, the review offers several evidence-based recommendations: mandatory medical and psychiatric assessments before detention, improved healthcare infrastructure, the adoption of rehabilitation and substance control programs, and the creation of independent investigative and monitoring bodies for all custodial deaths. Ultimately, reducing deaths in custody requires coordinated healthcare, institutional, and monitoring strategies aimed at improving detainee safety and healthcare outcomes. Protecting the lives and dignity of detainees remains an important responsibility of custodial institutions and public health systems.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.