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The number of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has hit its peak point since records started in 1980.

New data show that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an increase from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people remain disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning figures come to light over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Recent Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

One death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the individuals were men.

The remaining six deaths took place in police custody, defined as when someone passes away while police are detaining them.

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

State-by-State Distribution

The state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in correctional facilities 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 New South Wales is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has stated.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful scrutiny, dignity and accountability."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated very little has changed since the 1991's royal commission that was established to address this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she commented.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the findings.