Deaths and Illnesses in Prisons from Prison Statistics India Reports, NCRB

This collection of datasets, sourced from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Prison Statistics India reports, provides a detailed and sobering analysis of prisoner mortality and health within the Indian correctional system. The data offers a comprehensive classification of deaths, distinguishing between natural deaths (stemming from aging or specific illnesses), unnatural deaths (including suicide, murder by inmates, and negligence), and cases where the cause remains unknown. The collection provides highly granular insights into the medical health of inmates, documenting deaths from chronic and infectious conditions such as heart and lung disease, HIV, TB, cancer, and kidney failure, as well as mental health-related incidents and drug withdrawal. It also tracks accidental deaths caused by both environmental factors (forces of nature) and specific incidents like electrocution, drowning, or falls. Furthermore, the datasets detail the modes of institutional violence, including suicides and murders categorized by method, such as hanging, stabbing, or fighting. Available at both year-wise and state-wise levels, this collection is an indispensable resource for researchers and human rights advocates analysing custodial safety, prison healthcare quality, and the overall physical security of inmates in India.