Youth people caught up with the youth justice system have a much higher risk of dying young.

A 20 year retrospective cohort study led by Prof Stuart Kinner has confirmed what many front-line workers know too well…

‘Justice-involved young people are at markedly increased risk of premature death from largely preventable causes.’

Young people exposed to the Youth Justice system in Queensland dies at 4.2 times the rate of their community peers. Those released from detention had 6.4 times the rate of others in the community, while those who had been charged but never convicted dies at 3.5 times the community rate.

The most common causes of death were suicide (over a third), transport accidents and accidental drug-related deaths.

More than half the deaths occurred before age 25 and less than 2% occurred in custody.

The highest risk of death occurs immediately after release from prison but the risk remains higher for up to 10 years.