'Robust approach' could prevent prison deaths

Some of the 600 deaths in custody in England and Wales each year could be prevented, it has been claimed.

The total was calculated for the first time by the Forum For Preventing Deaths In Custody.

The figure includes all types of custody including police cells, prisons, approved premises and secure hospitals and included a large number of deaths from natural causes, suicides and other events such as homicides.

A spokesman for the organisation said: "The forum believes that some of these deaths could and should have been prevented."

The report said there was a need for a "more robust and joined-up approach" to the way agencies share information about people who may be at risk.

The document revealed there were 523 deaths in custody in 2006/07 but this figure did not include those in police custody.

In 2005/06 there were 586 deaths and in the previous 12 months the figure was 590.

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