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The number of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has reached its peak point since official data began in 1980.

Recently released figures indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an rise from 24 fatalities in the prior corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, even though comprising under 4% of the country's population.

These disturbing statistics emerge over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 took place while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the prior year.

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

The other six deaths took place in police custody, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are detaining them.

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

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the highest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner recently remarked.

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

Demographic Information and Expert Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the individuals were awaiting a court sentencing.

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "country-wide emergency" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this issue.

"It's maddening to see the number of inquests I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.