A lack of data on prisoner characteristics is providing an incomplete picture of who dies in prison and why, which may be contributing to preventable deaths in custody, according to a new report.

In the new report – ‘How recording inequalities can reduce prisoner deaths’  - published here , a team of experts from the University of Nottingham highlight that equality data, including characteristics of prisoners such as disability and indicators of socioeconomic deprivation, was an essential foundation for evidence-based action to prevent deaths in custody.

The study, which is part of the European Research Council funded RECEDE project, was led by Philippa Tomczak, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Dr Laura Haas, Research Fellow, in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Nottingham.

A new report led by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides evidence-informed recommendations to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) better identify and address intimate partner violence (IPV) among veterans. Convened under a provision of the Deborah Sampson Act of 2020, a multidisciplinary expert panel reviewed research summaries drawn from more than 100 studies and issued guidance for clinicians and policymakers.

The panel recommends expanding screening for IPV across all points of care, paired with enhanced training and resources for healthcare staff to recognize and respond to risk. It also emphasizes a “no wrong door” approach, ensuring that disclosures—regardless of where they occur in the health system—lead to appropriate support and intervention.

Findings highlight that IPV among veterans is often underrecognized and extends beyond physical and sexual violence to include psychological abuse and stalking. The report also identifies veteran-specific risk factors, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), elevated suicide risk, substance use and deployment-related stressors. Given the intersection of these risks with higher rates of firearm access, the panel recommends integrating safety planning into screening efforts.

The authors also found strong support for the VA’s existing National IPV Assistance Program, noting that its trauma-informed, veteran-centered approach remains aligned with current evidence. The recommendations, published in Women’s Health Issues and shared with VA leadership, are intended to help prioritize strategies that are both practical and likely to have the greatest impact.