Poster #53 - Dead Before Trial: Patterns and Causes of Mortality in U.S. Jails, 2015–2019

• In Event: ASC Poster Session II

Abstract

Jails are designed for short-term custody, yet they remain high-risk environments where preventable deaths are common. This study analyzes national jail mortality data (2015–2019) and finds that 75% of individuals who died in custody were held pretrial, raising critical concerns about the safety of those not yet convicted. Illness is the leading overall cause of death, but the first 14 days of detention are especially lethal. During this period, substance overdoses dominate, suggesting failures in intake screening and withdrawal management. These early deaths highlight systemic vulnerabilities at the front end of the criminal justice process. This poster presents patterns by legal status, time in custody, cause of death, individual characteristics, and jurisdiction, offering new insight into how jail conditions contribute to mortality. Findings support policy discussions around bail reform, medical oversight, and the ethical implications of pretrial incarceration.

Authors

• Gabrielle Horan Chamberlin, Michigan State University

• Kathryn Norris-Icho, Michigan State University

• Izabela Weglarz, Michigan State University

• Vivian Aranda-Hughes, Michigan State University