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Cardiff University report: 37% of Wales probation deaths were drug-related
A Cardiff University Wales Governance Centre report said 37% of deaths among prison leavers on probation in Wales in 2024-25 were drug-related, above the England-and-Wales share.
- New headline Was: “More than third of deaths of ex-prisoners on probation drug related, says report”
- Our desk filed its story
A Wales Governance Centre report at Cardiff University said 37% of deaths among former prisoners supervised by probation in Wales in 2024-25 were drug-related1.
The analysis, based on UK government data including Freedom of Information responses, put that Wales share above the 21% recorded across England and Wales, or 131 of 620 deaths1. Nineteen of 52 deaths in Wales were drug poisonings where intent was recorded as undetermined1.
Report author Dr Robert Jones told BBC Wales the data pointed to "systematic failures with incredibly tragic circumstances and consequences"1. Criminal justice in Wales is reserved to Westminster, while substance-use, housing, education and local government are devolved1. Jones said those deaths often fall between Senedd and Westminster debates1.
Nation.Cymru, which linked the PDF of Prisons, Punishment and Sentencing in Wales: 2025 Factfile, said 695 prison leavers managed by Welsh probation were recorded as rough sleeping on the day of release in 2025-26, up 24% from 560 the prior year, a fourth consecutive annual increase. The report also said shoplifting accounted for 39% of custodial sentences given to women in Wales.
A Welsh government spokesperson said every drug-related death is a tragedy and that it was working with health boards, local authorities, Public Health Wales and others on early intervention, prevention, treatment and recovery, and that the findings strengthen the case for full devolution of justice to Wales1.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said the government was investing in community services to reduce the number of women in custody and cutting the flow of drugs into prisons, and that more than £3.4 million is spent in Wales on services across prisons, probation and courts to help prison leavers overcome addiction1. Prisoners at risk of homelessness can be offered temporary accommodation by the prison and probation service, the spokesperson added1.