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The count of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has hit its highest point since the beginning of records started in 1980.

Fresh statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, even though representing under 4% of the national population.

These disturbing figures emerge over three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the prior year.

One death was in youth detention, and all except one of the individuals were male.

The remaining six fatalities took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary reason of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "natural causes." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

Geographic Distribution

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the highest number of Aboriginal 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 growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner has said.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Demographic Information and Expert Response

The mean age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the deceased were still waiting for a sentence.

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "country-wide crisis" that requires "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said very little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that was established to tackle this issue.

"It's infuriating to witness the quantity of investigations I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she commented.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, according to the findings.