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The number of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has hit its peak point since records began in 1980.

New figures indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite comprising less than four per cent of the country's population.

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

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures

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

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the individuals were male.

The remaining six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The report found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the highest 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 First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's coroner recently said.

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

Demographic Information and Expert Response

The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a sentence.

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as reflecting a "national emergency" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, stated very little has changed since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to tackle this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the quantity of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly more severe," she noted.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.