Indigenous Fatalities in Custody in the Nation Reach Record Level Since 1980

The count of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since official data started in 1980.

Recently released figures show that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the year ending in June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an rise from 24 fatalities in the prior equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the national population.

These disturbing statistics come to light over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous 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 prior year.

A single death was in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were male.

The remaining six deaths happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "natural causes." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in prison custody with nine, followed by Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory all recorded three deaths.

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

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful scrutiny, dignity and responsibility."

Profile Details and Expert Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the deceased were awaiting a court sentencing.

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "national crisis" that requires "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple official inquiries with grieving families, said little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to tackle this issue.

"It's maddening to see the number of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the problem is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.