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

Recently released figures indicate that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the year ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the prior equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately represented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite comprising under 4% of the national population.

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

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures

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.

A single death was in youth detention, and all except one of the individuals were men.

The other six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main cause of First Nations deaths was categorised 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 Aboriginal deaths in prison custody with nine, then Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory each had three deaths.

The increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner has stated.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, dignity and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Expert Response

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, said very little has improved since the 1991's national inquiry that aimed to address this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to see the quantity of investigations I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she commented.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in youth detention, according to the report.