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The count of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its highest point since records began in 1980.

Recently released statistics reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June were Indigenous. This represents an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the country's population.

These disturbing figures come to light more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in prison custody, which is an rise 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 deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Distribution

The state of New South Wales recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in correctional facilities with nine, followed by 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 has said.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, dignity and responsibility."

Profile Details and Expert Reaction

The mean age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the deceased were awaiting a court sentencing.

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "national emergency" that requires "leadership and political action."

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

"It's infuriating to witness the number of investigations I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly more severe," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.