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The number of Indigenous people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has hit its highest point since records started in 1980.

Recently released statistics reveal that 33 of the 113 people who died in custody in the year leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the prior corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people remain severely represented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though comprising less than four per cent of the country's people.

These disturbing numbers come to light more than three decades after a pivotal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 took place while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were male.

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

The main reason of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The report found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The Australian 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 each had three deaths.

The growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's coroner has said.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Demographic Information and Academic Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a sentence.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "national crisis" that needs "decisive action and government action."

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

"It's infuriating to witness the quantity of investigations I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.