🔗 Share this article

The tally of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its record point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

Fresh statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the year leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an increase from 24 deaths in the prior corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly overrepresented in the justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing under 4% of the national people.

These concerning figures emerge over three decades after a seminal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made hundreds of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Statistics

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

A single death occurred in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were male.

The remaining six fatalities happened in police custody, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The report found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded 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 rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner recently said.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has improved since the 1991's national inquiry that aimed to tackle this crisis.

"It's infuriating to witness the number of investigations I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.