Indigenous Deaths in Custody in Australia Climb to Record Level Since the Start of 1980

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

New statistics indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the year leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain severely overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite comprising under 4% of the country's people.

These disturbing numbers come to light more than three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

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

A single death occurred in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the deceased 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 cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The data noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Distribution

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in correctional facilities with nine, then Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory each had three deaths.

The growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has remarked.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Profile Information and Academic Response

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

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "national crisis" that needs "leadership and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with bereaved families, said little has improved since the 1991's national inquiry that aimed to tackle this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in youth detention, according to the report.