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The number of Indigenous people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has hit its record point since official data began in 1980.

Recently released statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 fatalities in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, even though comprising under 4% of the national population.

These sobering statistics come to light more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Recent 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 increase from 18 in the prior year.

One death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were men.

The other six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are detaining them.

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

State-by-State Breakdown

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

The increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's coroner has remarked.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Demographic Information and Academic Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the deceased were still waiting for a sentence.

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, said very little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that was established to address this crisis.

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

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