This study compared the nature & extent of death among prisoners & offenders serving community sentences or ex-prisoners receiving postcustodial supervision by the Probation Service in England & Wales in 1996 & 1997. Information contained in death certificates was used to code for mode of death. Prisoners & community offenders were found to be reasonably similar in vulnerability to suicide/self-inflicted death; however, the risk of accidental death & homicide was greater for community offenders. Implications of the findings are discussed. (28 refs)