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The number of First Nations people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has hit its peak point since the beginning of official data began in 1980.

Fresh statistics reveal 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 fatalities in the prior corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the country's people.

These disturbing statistics come to light over three decades after a seminal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest 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 rise from 18 in the prior year.

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

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

The main reason 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 state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Indigenous 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 rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner recently said.

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

Profile Information and Academic Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the deceased were awaiting a sentence.

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "national crisis" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has changed since the 1991's national inquiry 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 reality that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she noted.

Since the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.