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The number of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Recently released statistics indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain grossly represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, even though representing under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning figures emerge over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

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

One death was in youth detention, and all except one of the individuals were male.

The other six fatalities took place in police custody, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "natural causes." The report noted that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the cases.

Geographic Distribution

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner recently remarked.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Profile Details and Expert Response

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that was established to tackle this crisis.

"It's maddening to see the quantity of investigations I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

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