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The number of Indigenous people dying while in detention in Australia has hit its record point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Fresh figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the preceding corresponding period.

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

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

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 took place while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

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

The remaining six fatalities took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The data found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in correctional facilities with nine, followed by Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory all recorded three deaths.

The growing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner recently said.

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

Demographic Information and Academic Reaction

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that requires "decisive action and government action."

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

"It's maddening to witness the quantity of inquests I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.