First Nations Deaths in Detention in the Nation Hit Highest Number Since the Start of 1980

The number of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its highest point since official data started in 1980.

Fresh figures indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in custody in the year ending in June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an rise from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the national people.

These concerning numbers come to light more than three decades after a seminal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

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

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

The other 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 leading reason of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the highest number of Aboriginal deaths in correctional facilities with nine, then 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 this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, dignity and responsibility."

Demographic Details and Academic Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the individuals were still waiting for a sentence.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "national crisis" that needs "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated very little has improved since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this issue.

"It's maddening to see the number of inquests I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.