BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A new study showed that Louisiana ranked as the top state in the United States with the highest prison mortality rate.

In a study from Connecticut Trial Firm, personal injury lawyers used data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics to discover which U.S. states had the highest prison mortality rates, according to a news release.

The number of deaths that took place in prisons between 2001-19 in each state was "scaled against 100,000 people in each state's population," according to a news release.

"Monitoring prison mortality rates is crucial for upholding human rights standards," said Ryan Keen from Connecticut Trial Firm. "Examining patterns and causes of prison deaths enables authorities to implement preventive measures."

"Whether it involves addressing mental health issues, improving sanitation, or enhancing safety protocols, understanding the root causes of mortality allows for targeted interventions to mitigate risks and save lives," said Keen.

Louisiana has the highest prison mortality rate in the U.S. The state's prison mortality rate is 42.7 per 100,000 people, according to the study.

The study shows that the most common cause of death in prisons throughout the state between 2001-2019 was heart disease (611 deaths) and the least common cause of death was homicide (nine deaths).

Check out the top 10 U.S. states with the highest prison mortality rates:

1. Louisiana: 42.7
2. Oklahoma: 38.9
3. Mississippi: 36.5
4. Alabama: 33.9
5. Arkansas: 31.8
6. Delaware: 27.8
7. Texas: 26.4
8. Missouri: 25.1
9. Florida: 25.0
10. South Carolina: 24.5

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