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The tally of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has reached its highest point since official data started in 1980.

New figures indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an rise from 24 fatalities in the prior corresponding period.

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

These sobering figures come to light more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Statistics

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the deceased were male.

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

The main reason of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The data found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded 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 each had three deaths.

The increasing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful scrutiny, respect and accountability."

Profile Details and Expert Response

The mean age of those who died was 45, and eleven of the deceased were awaiting a sentence.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as representing a "country-wide emergency" that requires "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with bereaved families, said very little has improved since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she commented.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.