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The tally of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has reached its highest point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

New figures reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the year ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly overrepresented in the justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, even though comprising under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning figures come to light over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Statistics

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

One death was in youth detention, and all except one of the individuals were men.

The other six deaths happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The report found that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

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

The increasing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing reality," 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 demanded "independent and careful examination, 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 sentence.

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the figures as representing a "national emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, said very little has improved since the 1991's national inquiry that was established to tackle this issue.

"It's infuriating to see the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," 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.