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New Jersey prisons saw 336 deaths from 2018 to 2024, report reveals

Behind bars, lives were lost at an alarming rate. Now, a damning report demands answers—and urgent reforms to prevent more tragedies.

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The image shows a bar chart depicting the number of selected prison populations in the United...
The image shows a bar chart depicting the number of selected prison populations in the United States in 2008. The chart is accompanied by text that provides further information about the data.

New Jersey prisons saw 336 deaths from 2018 to 2024, report reveals

A new report has revealed that 336 people died in New Jersey state prisons between 2018 and 2024. The findings highlight concerns over conditions inside correctional facilities, with overdoses, suicides, and natural causes accounting for most deaths in the news today.

The state's corrections ombudsman published the data to improve transparency around deaths in custody, breaking news that advocacy groups, including the New Jersey ACLU, have welcomed as a step toward better policy decisions.

Natural causes were the leading cause of death, responsible for six out of every seven cases. However, deaths from natural causes surged in 2020, more than doubling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suicides claimed the lives of 13 people during the six-year period. Over half of these occurred in disciplinary housing units, with most happening in single cells. Another nine individuals aged 25 or younger died in custody, with eight of those deaths classified as unnatural.

Overdoses proved deadlier than both suicides and homicides combined. Two facilities reported a high concentration of these deaths, though exact numbers for each prison remain unclear. Statewide data suggests at least 20 overdose-related deaths in New Jersey prisons from 2018 to 2024, but detailed breakdowns by facility are not publicly available.

The New Jersey Department of Corrections investigates every death and regularly reviews operations to enhance inmate care. The corrections ombudsman's report aims to push for greater accountability and safer conditions within the prison system.

The report provides lawmakers and the public with clearer insights into deaths behind bars. With overdoses, suicides, and COVID-19-related fatalities raising concerns, officials now face pressure to implement stronger safeguards. The data may help shape future policies to reduce preventable deaths in custody.

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