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The number of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its peak point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

Fresh statistics show that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an rise from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the country's population.

These concerning numbers emerge more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

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 prior year.

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

The remaining six deaths happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are detaining them.

The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "natural causes." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the highest 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 growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's coroner has stated.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful scrutiny, respect and responsibility."

Demographic Details and Expert Reaction

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has improved since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this issue.

"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 after the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.