Year: 1990 Source: American Journal of Public Health, v.80, no.12, (December 1990), p.1479-1480 SIEC No: 19910041

The leading causes of death (rate per 100,000 prisoner-years) in Maryland state prisons for the period 1979-87 were circulatory system disease (59), suicide (40), & homicide & legal intervention (30). AIDS became the leading cause of death in 1987. Homicides declined after 1980; drug overdose deaths peaked in 1981 & later disappeared. Male inmates have 39% lower all-cause death rates than the general population of Maryland after adjustment for age & race. (22 refs.)