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The tally of Indigenous people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has climbed to its peak point since records started in 1980.

Recently released statistics indicate that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June were Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 fatalities in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing under 4% of the country's population.

These sobering figures emerge more than three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

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

One death was in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were male.

The other six deaths took place in police custody, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The leading cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The 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 all recorded three deaths.

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

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Demographic Details and Academic Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a court sentencing.

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the data as reflecting a "national crisis" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple official inquiries with bereaved families, said very little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that was established to tackle this issue.

"It's infuriating to witness the number of investigations I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.