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The tally of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has reached its highest point since official data started in 1980.

Fresh statistics show that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in custody in the year leading up to June were Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing under 4% of the national people.

These disturbing statistics come to light over three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Statistics

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody logged 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 was in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were men.

The other six fatalities happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The leading cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The data noted that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the highest number of Aboriginal deaths in prison custody 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 reality," the state's coroner recently said.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, respect and responsibility."

Profile Details and Expert Response

The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the deceased were awaiting a sentence.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as representing a "national crisis" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, said very little has improved since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to tackle this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the situation is getting increasingly more severe," she noted.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the report.