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The number of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

New statistics indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an uptick from 24 fatalities in the prior corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly represented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite comprising under 4% of the national population.

These disturbing figures emerge more than three decades after a seminal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, 26 took place while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

A single death was in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased 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 main cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The data found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has remarked.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Profile Information and Expert Reaction

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

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as representing a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, stated little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to address this issue.

"It's infuriating to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she commented.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.