🔗 Share this article Indigenous Fatalities in Custody in the Nation Climb to Highest Number Since 1980 Indigenous detainees account for more than a third of Australia's total prison population. The tally of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its peak point since records started in 1980. Fresh statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous corresponding period. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite representing under 4% of the country's population. These disturbing figures come to light over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of proposed changes. Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year. One death was in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the deceased were male. The remaining six deaths happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them. The main cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases. State-by-State Breakdown The state of New South Wales had the greatest 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 rising number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner recently stated. In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, respect and accountability." Profile Information and Academic Reaction The mean age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the individuals were awaiting a court sentencing. A university expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "national crisis" that needs "decisive action and political action." Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that was established to address this crisis. "It's infuriating to witness the quantity of inquests I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she commented. From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.