🔗 Share this article

The number of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has reached its peak point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Recently released figures reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the year leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an rise from 24 deaths in the preceding equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people are disproportionately represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing under 4% of the national people.

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

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

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

A single death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the deceased were men.

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

The leading reason of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The data found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Indigenous deaths in correctional facilities with nine, then 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 tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner recently said.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Demographic Details and Expert Response

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "national crisis" that requires "leadership and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, stated little has changed since the 1991's national inquiry that aimed to address this crisis.

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

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.