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The purpose of the study is to investigate the number and the character of deaths during stays in prisons, county goals etc. During the study period from 1992-1996 with approx. 38,000 imprisonments per year there were 74 deaths, 71 males and three females. The average age was 32.4 years. Approximately 16% had foreign citizenship. Twenty had leave, legal or illegal when death occurred. There were 34 suicides, 22 accidents, 3 homicides and 15 cases of natural death. Several deaths took place relatively shortly after the arrival at the institution, one third within a week. The most frequently used suicidal method was hanging. The accidents were dominated by poisoning deaths, often with morphines, possibly in combination with alcohol or other drugs. Two of the three homicides took place during leave. Among natural deaths, heart death was the most frequent cause of death with six of 10 unexpected deaths. Among expected deaths in prison there were three AIDS patients. Fourteen of the fifteen natural deaths had a substantial alcohol consumption and/or drug abuse. There ought to be a central registration of deaths in prisons and similar institutions. The autopsy frequency should be high, and forensic chemical investigation should be used more often. Drug dependent inmates should be informed about reduced tolerance to drugs in relation to release and leave.