🔗 Share this article

The count of First Nations people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has reached its peak point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

Recently released statistics indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, despite comprising less than four per cent of the national people.

These sobering statistics come to light over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, 26 took place while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

A single death was in youth detention, and the vast majority of the deceased were men.

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

The primary cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "illness." The report found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Distribution

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

The rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner recently remarked.

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

Demographic Information and Academic Reaction

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

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

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

"It's maddening to see the number of investigations I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she commented.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, according to the findings.