Violent Death Among Recently Released Prison Inmates: Stories Behind the Numbers

Research on rates of violent deaths in prison releasees exists, however little work has gone into examining their associated contexts and circumstances. Using North Carolina Department of Corrections and North Carolina Violent Death Reporting System data, the authors sought to understand the contexts surrounding the deaths of recently released inmates. Findings revealed that homicides (64% of deaths) were associated with violence as a result of argument and with criminal activity. Suicides (30%) were in response to risk of reincarceration, relationship problems, depression, and situational difficulties. Six percent of deaths were the result of legal intervention. Implications for social work practice and research are examined.