🔗 Share this article First Nations Deaths in Custody in the Nation Reach Highest Number Since the Start of 1980 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners account for more than a third of Australia's incarcerated inmates. The number of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its record point since records started in 1980. Recently released data reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in detention 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 preceding corresponding period. Indigenous Australian people are grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing under 4% of the national people. These concerning figures emerge over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of proposed changes. Breakdown of the Latest Figures Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 took place while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year. A single death was in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the deceased were male. 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 First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The data noted that hanging was the method in eight of the cases. State-by-State Breakdown The state of New South Wales recorded the highest number of Aboriginal 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 rising number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner has remarked. In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, dignity and accountability." Demographic Information and Expert Response The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the deceased were still waiting for a court sentencing. A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "national crisis" that needs "leadership and political action." Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated little has improved since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this crisis. "It's maddening to see the number of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the problem is getting increasingly more severe," she noted. Since the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the findings.