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

Fresh figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain severely overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, even though comprising under 4% of the national people.

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

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were male.

The remaining six deaths happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The data noted that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Distribution

The state of New South Wales recorded 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 growing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

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

Demographic Information and Expert Response

The mean age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a court sentencing.

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

"It's infuriating to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she commented.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the report.