Inmate Mortality -- Florida Department of Corrections (2024)

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) is committed to providing information to the public in a timely and accurate manner. This section of our website contains an extensive amount of data and information related to inmate mortality and in-custody deaths.

Mortality Facts

• The majority of inmate deaths are natural. Natural deaths include deaths that do not fall in the category of suicide, homicide or accidental. The causes of natural deaths include cancer, coronary, gastro-intestinal, respiratory issues, etc.
• Many inmates have not had regular access to any form of health care prior to being sentenced.In addition, many inmates suffer from pre-existing conditions such as alcohol and drug addiction, mental health issues, and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.
• Elder inmates are defined by 944.02 FS as prisoners age 50 or older.

Role of the Medical Examiner in Inmate Mortality

Under Florida law, the district Medical Examiner is required to determine the cause of death for any person who dies in a prison or penal institution.The Medical Examiner has the authority to perform or have performed whatever examinations, investigations, autopsies or laboratory examinations they deem necessary or in the public interest to determine the cause or manner of death of the deceased.Autopsy results and cause and manner of death determinations are releasable only by the Medical Examiner.

Releasable Information

As a health care provider, FDC a covered entity for purposes of the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164). Pursuant to 45 C.F.R. § 164.502(f), the Department must comply with the confidentiality requirements of HIPAA with respect to the protected health information of a deceased inmate. Pursuant to section 945.10(1)(a), Florida Statutes, inmate and offender mental health, medical, or substance abuse records are confidential and exempt from the provisions of Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.

Additionally, security information/security system plans (§ 119.071 (1) (a), F.S.), are confidential and exempt from public records disclosure.

Health Care

FDC has a constitutional mandate to provide health care for all inmates incarcerated in Florida’s prisons. This includes preventative health services, dental, mental health treatment, hospital care, and treatment of chronic disease. The Department is committed to ensuring inmates receive appropriate medical and behavioral health care that is in line with evolving standards of care nationally.

FDC contracts with Centurion of Florida for all health services at state operated institutions in Florida.

Executions

Deaths by executions are not reflected in this data. A list of executions can be found here.

Manner of Death 2017-2023

The table below reflects the number of inmate deaths for the previous 5 fiscal years by manner of death. A "pending" status indicates that the Department has not received the conclusions by the Medical Examiner, and until such time the name of deceased will be withheld.

Mortality data separated by manner of death

*Also includes cases listed as Undetermined by the Medical Examiner

Fiscal Year 2022-23 counts include deaths through 06-30-2022.

The links below provide information on inmate deaths by name, date, manner of death and investigative status by each facility and by each year, including most up-to-date in the current year.

Statistics by Facility