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The count of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its record point since official data began in 1980.

New data reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent period.

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

These disturbing statistics emerge over three decades after a seminal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Recent 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 prior year.

A single death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were male.

The other six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

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

The increasing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful scrutiny, respect and responsibility."

Profile Details and Expert Response

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

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "national emergency" that requires "leadership and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, said little has changed since the 1991's royal commission that was established to tackle this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the royal commission, and the problem is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.