More than 330 people died in N.J. prisons between 2018 and 2024, according to recent state report

More than 330 people died in N.J. prisons between 2018 and 2024, according to a recent report from the state’s corrections ombudsman. A medical examiner mentioned in the report attributed 6 out of 7 deaths to “natural causes,” which includes COVID, cancer, cardiac issues, and respiratory or pulmonary diseases. Investigators did not examine preventative or emergency responses by the state Department of Corrections or medical providers. Deaths that were considered “unnatural” include 20 fatal overdoses, 13 suicides, six murders, and eight accidents. The most “unnatural” deaths happened at Northern State Prison in Newark and New Jersey State Prison in Trenton. The report was released to provide the public, policymakers, and prison administrators to flag concerns, identify trends, and discuss ways to prevent future deaths, according to Terry Schuster, the state corrections ombudsperson.

From New Jersey Monitor.