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

Fresh statistics indicate that 33 of the 113 people who died in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the previous equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing under 4% of the country's people.

These concerning figures emerge more than three decades after a pivotal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

A single death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the individuals were male.

The other six deaths happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

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

Geographic Distribution

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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently said.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough 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 still waiting for a court sentencing.

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several official inquiries with bereaved families, stated little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to address this crisis.

"It's maddening to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years after the inquiry, and the problem is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.