Aboriginal Deaths in Detention in the Nation Reach Record Number Since 1980

The number of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since records began in 1980.

Fresh statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an rise from 24 deaths in the previous corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people are disproportionately overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, even though representing under 4% of the national population.

These concerning figures emerge more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown 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 rise from 18 in the previous year.

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

The remaining six deaths happened in police custody, defined as when someone dies while police are detaining them.

The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "natural causes." The data found that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in prison custody with nine, then 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 milestone," the state's coroner recently stated.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, dignity and responsibility."

Demographic Details and Academic Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were still waiting for a court sentencing.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that requires "leadership and political action."

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

"It's maddening to see the number of investigations I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the royal commission, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she commented.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.