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The count of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has climbed to its record point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Recently released figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding equivalent 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 population.

These concerning figures emerge over three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds 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 rise from 18 in the prior year.

A single death was in youth detention, and the vast majority of the individuals were men.

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

The leading reason of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The data found that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Distribution

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

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

Demographic Details and Expert Reaction

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

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "national crisis" that needs "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, said little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this issue.

"It's maddening to witness the quantity of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.