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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 records began in 1980.

New figures show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the year leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an rise from 24 deaths in the preceding equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising less than four per cent of the national population.

These disturbing numbers emerge over three decades after a landmark inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 took place while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

One death was in youth detention, and the vast majority of the individuals were men.

The remaining six fatalities 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 cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales had 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 each had three deaths.

The growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's coroner recently said.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, respect and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as representing a "country-wide crisis" that requires "decisive action and political action."

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

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she commented.

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