evidence: Results: Of 30,237 released inmates, 443 died during a mean follow-up period of 1.9 years. The overall mortality rate was 777 deaths per 100,000 person-years. The adjusted risk of death among former inmates was 3.5 times that among other state residents (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.2 to 3.8). During the first 2 weeks after release, the risk of death among former inmates was 12.7 (95% CI, 9.2 to 17.4) times that among other state residents, with a markedly elevated relative risk of death from drug overdose (129; 95% CI, 89 to 186). The leading causes of death among former inmates were drug overdose, cardiovascular disease, homicide, and suicide. Conclusions: Former prison inmates were at high risk for death after release from prison, particularly during the first 2 weeks. Interventions are necessary to reduce the risk of death after release from prison. [...] Meta-analysis of drug-related deaths soon after release from prison.Addiction. 2010 Sep;105(9):1545-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.02990.x. Epub 2010 Jun 23. Addiction. 2010. PMID: 20579009 Free PMC article. Review.