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The tally of First Nations people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

New statistics reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the year leading up to June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing less than four per cent of the national population.

These sobering figures come to light more than three decades after a landmark royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Recent Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

One death was in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were male.

The other six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main reason of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," with "illness." The data found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Distribution

The state of New South Wales had 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing reality," the state's coroner recently remarked.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, dignity and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were still waiting for a court sentencing.

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated very little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that was established to tackle this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of investigations I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

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