The number of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has climbed to its record point since the beginning of records started in 1980.
Recently released statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June were Indigenous. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the previous corresponding period.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing less than four per cent of the country's people.
These concerning statistics emerge over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of proposed changes.
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.
One death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the individuals were men.
The other six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.
The main reason of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The report noted that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.
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 rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has remarked.
In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, dignity and responsibility."
The mean age of those who died was 45, and eleven of the deceased were awaiting a court sentencing.
A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "country-wide crisis" that requires "decisive action and political action."
Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, stated very little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that was established to address this issue.
"It's heartbreaking to see the quantity of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she commented.
From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.
