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The number of First Nations people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has hit its record point since records began in 1980.

New statistics reveal that 33 of the 113 people who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, despite comprising under 4% of the national people.

These disturbing statistics emerge over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward 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 occurred while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

One death was in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were men.

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

The primary cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The data found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Distribution

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

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, respect and accountability."

Demographic Information and Expert Response

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to address this crisis.

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

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, according to the report.