A new report from charity Nacro reveals that prisoners in the North East of England face the highest risk in the country of dying from drug-related causes immediately after release. The report, titled 'Reducing Deaths Among Prison Leavers', shows that one in every 1,000 people released from prison in the North East dies from a drug-related incident within a fortnight.
In contrast, in the East of England region, only one in 6,000 people die under similar circumstances. The charity is calling for "urgent action" to address what it describes as a "hidden tragedy".
Key Findings and Statistics
The report highlights that one in seven drug-related deaths could be avoided if those with a history of opioid use were given drug substitution therapy on the day they leave prison. Deaths following release remain "significantly higher" than before the Covid-19 pandemic. Although deaths peaked during the pandemic, the rate has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Someone released from prison today is 72% more likely to die within two weeks of release than in 2019/20.
In the North East, former prisoners are a third more likely to engage with support services than those in the East of England, yet they are still more than twice as likely to die from drug misuse in their first year out of prison. Nacro notes that issues such as homelessness and access to treatment do not fully explain this disparity, indicating a need for further research.
Call for Government Action
Nacro is urging the Government to improve healthcare and drug treatment for prison leavers. This includes providing opioid substitutes and ensuring access to naloxone, the overdose reversal medication. The charity also calls for a plan to halve the proportion of people leaving prison who are homeless.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of Nacro, said: "This is a tragedy hidden from public view. Every day, people are dying after leaving prison and many of those deaths could be prevented. We see first-hand how difficult the first few weeks after prison can be, but we also see the difference timely care and support can make. Ensuring people leave prison with the healthcare they need including drug substitution therapy where appropriate, access to a GP and somewhere safe to live, can make the difference between life and death."
Previous Warnings and Ongoing Issues
In May, a Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) report highlighted the case of Paul Jessop, who died days after release from prison after taking a cocktail of drugs. The PPO had previously raised the issue in 2024. Ombudsman Adrian Usher stated: "We know that prison leavers often have multiple risk factors. However, more must be done by HMPPS and community service providers to ensure that vulnerable prisoners have the right support in place so they are released with suitable accommodation and to protect them from substance misuse on release."
