Report finds high rate of drug-related deaths among ex-prisoners in Wales
A new report from the Wales Governance Centre states that more than one-third of deaths involving former prisoners on probation in Wales were linked to drugs during the 2024-25 period.
Drug deaths exceed national average
The study shows that 37 percent of these fatalities involved substance misuse, a figure higher than the rate across England and Wales combined. Just over one-fifth of total deaths in the wider region were connected to drugs, according to the data reviewed by researchers at Cardiff University.
Undetermined poisonings are common
Nineteen of the fifty-two deaths recorded in Wales involved poisonings where intent remained undetermined. This specific category accounted for a substantially larger share of fatalities compared to just over one-fifth seen across England and Wales as a whole.
Calls for government action
Dr Robert Jones urged UK and Welsh leaders to address systematic failures within the criminal justice system. The report author described the situation as tragic while noting that current funding supports prison leavers trying to overcome addiction.
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