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The number of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has hit its peak point since official data started in 1980.

New figures indicate that 33 of the 113 people who died in detention in the year leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an increase from 24 deaths in the prior corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though comprising less than four per cent of the national population.

These concerning statistics come to light more than 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 recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

A single death occurred in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were men.

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

The primary reason of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The data found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in prison custody with nine, followed by Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory all recorded three deaths.

The rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has said.

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

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "national crisis" that needs "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said very little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that was established to address this issue.

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

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.