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The number of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has hit its record point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

New figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the year leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, despite comprising under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning statistics come to light over three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the prior year.

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

The remaining six deaths happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main reason of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," with "illness." The data noted that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in correctional facilities with nine, then Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory each had three deaths.

The rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing reality," the state's coroner has remarked.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, dignity and responsibility."

Profile Details and Academic Reaction

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

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as representing a "national crisis" that requires "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated very little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to address this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

Since the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.