Fact Check: "People die in custody of immigration and correctional facilities."
What We Know
The claim that "people die in custody of immigration and correctional facilities" is a serious allegation that requires careful examination. While there is substantial evidence that deaths can occur in such facilities, the specifics of the claim need to be contextualized.
Reports from various countries, including the United States and New Zealand, indicate that deaths do occur in immigration detention centers and correctional facilities. For instance, a report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) states that there have been multiple instances of deaths in U.S. immigration detention centers due to inadequate medical care and harsh conditions. Similarly, in New Zealand, the Department of Corrections has acknowledged that deaths occur in custody, although the numbers are relatively low compared to the total population in custody.
In New Zealand, the statistics on births and deaths indicate that there were 37,884 deaths registered in the year ended December 2023, but these figures do not specify how many of these deaths occurred in custody or under what circumstances (source).
Analysis
The claim that people die in custody is supported by various reports and statistics, but the context is crucial. The sources that discuss deaths in custody often highlight systemic issues, such as lack of medical care, mental health crises, and the conditions of confinement that can lead to fatalities. For example, the ACLU report emphasizes that many deaths in immigration detention are preventable and linked to the neglect of medical needs (source).
However, the reliability of the sources is mixed. While the ACLU is a well-respected organization focused on civil rights, some reports may be influenced by advocacy perspectives, which can lead to a potential bias in how data is presented. On the other hand, government statistics, such as those from New Zealand's Department of Corrections, provide a more neutral standpoint but may lack the depth of analysis regarding the causes of death in custody.
Moreover, the available data does not provide a comprehensive overview of the total number of deaths specifically attributable to immigration and correctional facilities, making it difficult to assess the full scope of the issue. The statistics from New Zealand do not break down the causes of death or the circumstances under which they occurred, limiting the ability to fully verify the claim (source).
Conclusion
The claim that "people die in custody of immigration and correctional facilities" is partially substantiated by various reports and statistics indicating that deaths do occur in these environments. However, due to the lack of specific data and the contextual nuances surrounding these deaths, the claim remains Unverified. The evidence suggests that while deaths in custody are a reality, the full extent and causes of these deaths require more detailed investigation and data.
Sources
- Births and deaths: Year ended December 2023 (including abridged …)
- Births and deaths: Year ended December 2022 (including abridged …)
- Births and deaths: Year ended December 2024 (including abridged …)
- Births and deaths: Year ended December 2021 (including abridged …)
- Births and deaths | Stats NZ
- ACLU Report on Deaths in Immigration Detention
