Radar Technology Offers Hope Amid Rising Prison Deaths
A new radar device designed to remotely monitor the wellbeing of prison inmates could help address the escalating number of deaths in custody, according to the scientists developing it. The technology, known as VisionRF, employs low-power radar to detect subtle chest movements, allowing staff to check an individual's breathing and heart rate from several metres away without physical intrusion.
How VisionRF Works and Its Potential Impact
Researchers from Heriot-Watt University explained that the device can be discreetly mounted in a cell, such as behind a light fitting, and operates autonomously. It alerts prison healthcare teams or officers only when a person's heart rate, breathing pattern, or movement becomes irregular. This provides a compassionate alternative to the distressing physical checks typically used during suicide prevention protocols, which can disrupt sleep and worsen mental health issues.
Dimitris Anagnostou, associate professor at the university's Institute of Signals, Sensors and Systems, who leads the team, stated: "The need for safer, more compassionate means of supporting healthcare in custody settings is critical. Our aim is to provide a solution that allows early intervention during health emergencies, without adding to distress or stigma. VisionRF can detect serious changes in vital signs quickly and accurately, helping staff respond before a crisis escalates."
Alarming Statistics on Prison Deaths
The development comes as death rates in prisons continue to climb. In Scotland, 64 people died in custody during 2024/25, marking the highest annual figure in over a decade and a 60% increase from the 40 deaths recorded the previous year. Among these, 16 were recorded as suicides, with seven cases still under investigation.
Meanwhile, in England and Wales, there were 401 deaths in prison custody in the year to June 2025, a 30% rise from 308 deaths in the prior 12 months. Of these, 86 were self-inflicted. Additionally, in the 12 months to March 2025, the number of individuals who self-harmed reached 13,824, highlighting the urgent need for improved monitoring and intervention strategies.
Privacy and Dignity in Surveillance
The team emphasised that VisionRF prioritises privacy and dignity by avoiding cameras, microphones, or wearables, making it less intrusive than traditional healthcare surveillance in secure environments. Professor Nancy Loucks, chief executive of the charity Families Outside, which supports families affected by imprisonment, commented: "With the death rate in prison higher than ever, such technology can reassure families that their loved one's safety is being monitored. The earlier response technology of VisionRF can help prevent deaths from suicide, as well as those related to substance misuse and natural causes. This will be reassuring for prison staff as well, who can be traumatised by the death of someone in their care."
Future Applications and Funding
The Heriot-Watt team noted that the device's low-power and low-cost design makes it suitable for broader rollout beyond prisons. They are currently developing a commercial roadmap, with potential future applications in at-home care, nursing and care homes, and other community healthcare settings. Dr. Anagnostou added: "We are not replacing existing care, but we are significantly strengthening it. VisionRF allows staff to assess wellbeing from a distance, without disrupting the person being observed. It respects their privacy while helping to prevent a tragedy. People in the care of the prison service face some of the most severe health inequalities in the country. If we can prevent even one life being lost, this technology will have been worth it. But we believe it has the potential to do much more, not just in prisons, but across other areas of health and social care."
The project has secured funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through its Thrive programme, which supports healthcare innovations aimed at addressing significant health inequalities.
