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The tally of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has reached its highest point since official data started in 1980.

Recently released statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 fatalities in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing under 4% of the country's population.

These disturbing figures emerge over three decades after a landmark royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

One death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were men.

The remaining six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are detaining them.

The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The data noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

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

The increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner recently stated.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple official inquiries with bereaved families, said little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to address this issue.

"It's infuriating to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the problem is getting increasingly more severe," she noted.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.