A total of 1,021 prison inmates have died during the past five years, according to a report submitted to Parliament by the Department of Prisons.Of those who died, 552, or 54 per cent, were remand prisoners, while 469 were convicted prisoners.

Among the inmates who died, 384 had been imprisoned for offences involving the possession or sale of crystal methamphetamine (ICE), heroin or other illicit drugs.

Meanwhile, the report revealed that 15,117 suspects remained in prison as of the end of last year due to delays in obtaining Government Analyst’s reports.