Deaths of inmates in federal custody are regularly announced by Correctional Service Canada but the agency says their numbers have remained relatively stable over recent years, although non-natural deaths are higher than the set objective.
The total number of deaths in custody in federal institutions for the current fiscal year and as of Feb. 6 was 50, with 19 of those being non-natural, according to data provided by the agency.
Total counts were 51 for fiscal year 2018/2019, 62 for 2019/2020, 69 for 2020/2021, and 59 for 2021/2022.
Fiscal year 2019/2020 saw the most non-natural deaths over the past five years with 23.
In its 2022-23 Departmental Plan, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) indicates having a target rate of non-natural and undetermined offender deaths in custody of 1.03 to 1.27 per 1,000 offenders….