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

New figures indicate that 33 of the 113 people who died in custody in the year ending in June were Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people remain grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing under 4% of the country's population.

These sobering statistics come to light more than three decades after a pivotal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal 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 prior year.

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

The remaining 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 Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the highest 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 increasing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner has stated.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Profile Details and Expert Response

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

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to tackle this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.