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

Fresh figures show that 33 of the 113 people who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This represents an increase from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all prisoners, even though representing under 4% of the country's population.

These disturbing statistics emerge over three decades after a landmark royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Recent Figures

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

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

The remaining six fatalities 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-harm," followed by "illness." The data noted that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Distribution

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the greatest 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 growing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner has said.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, dignity and responsibility."

Profile Details and Academic Reaction

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

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with grieving families, said very little has changed since the 1991's national inquiry 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 three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.