🔗 Share this article

The tally of Indigenous people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

Recently released data indicate that 33 of the 113 people 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 rise from 24 deaths in the prior corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the national people.

These concerning figures come to light more than three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were male.

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

The primary reason of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The data found that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had 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 Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's coroner recently said.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, respect and responsibility."

Demographic Information 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 associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action."

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

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number 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 increasingly worse," she noted.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the findings.