Number of Non-Natural Deaths in Federal Prisons is Stable, says Corrections, but Still Over Target

The Matsqui Institution, a medium-security federal men's prison, is seen in Abbotsford, B.C., on Oct. 26, 2017. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Deaths of inmates in federal custody are regularly announced by Correctional Service Canada but the agency says their numbers have remained relatively stable over recent years, although non-natural deaths are higher than the set objective.

The total number of deaths in custody in federal institutions for the current fiscal year and as of Feb. 6 was 50, with 19 of those being non-natural, according to data provided by the agency.