🔗 Share this article

The count of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has climbed to its record point since official data started in 1980.

New data indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals 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 represents an uptick from 24 fatalities in the preceding corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people remain grossly represented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, even though representing less than four per cent of the country's population.

These concerning numbers come to light more than three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

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

A single death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the deceased were male.

The remaining six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are detaining them.

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

State-by-State Distribution

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

The rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing reality," the state's coroner has stated.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, respect and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple official inquiries with grieving families, said little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that was established to address this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the royal commission, and the problem 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 youth detention, as per the findings.