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The count of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its peak point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Fresh figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an uptick from 24 fatalities in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain severely overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning figures come to light over three decades after a landmark inquiry into Indigenous 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 prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

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

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

The primary cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

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

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

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

Profile Details and Expert Response

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

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the figures as representing a "national emergency" that needs "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with grieving families, said very little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to address this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to see the quantity of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the royal commission, and the problem is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the report.