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The count of Indigenous people dying while in detention in Australia has hit its highest point since official data began in 1980.

New data show that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in custody in the year leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people remain disproportionately represented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the national population.

These concerning statistics come to light over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Statistics

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were men.

The remaining six fatalities took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are detaining them.

The main reason of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Distribution

The state of New South Wales recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in correctional facilities with nine, then Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory all recorded three deaths.

The rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently stated.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Demographic Details and Academic Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the deceased were still waiting for a sentence.

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "country-wide crisis" that requires "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple official inquiries with bereaved families, said little has changed since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to address this issue.

"It's infuriating to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the findings.