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

New data reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing under 4% of the country's people.

These concerning figures come to light more than three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in a correctional facility, 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 male.

The other six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are detaining them.

The main reason of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The data noted that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales had the greatest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's coroner has remarked.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful scrutiny, respect and accountability."

Demographic Information and Academic Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the deceased were still waiting for a court sentencing.

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "national emergency" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with grieving families, stated little has improved since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this crisis.

"It's infuriating to see the number of inquests I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the report.