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The number of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its highest point since official data began in 1980.

Recently released figures show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an uptick from 24 fatalities in the preceding equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the national population.

These disturbing statistics emerge 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 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the prior year.

One death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the deceased were men.

The other six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary reason of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "natural causes." The report noted that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the greatest 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 this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's coroner has said.

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

Profile Information and Academic Response

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple official inquiries with bereaved families, said very little has changed since the 1991's national inquiry that aimed to tackle this crisis.

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

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.