🔗 Share this article Indigenous Fatalities in Custody in Australia Climb to Highest Number Since the Start of 1980 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees account for more than a third of Australia's total prison population. The number of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has climbed to its peak point since the beginning of records began in 1980. Recently released figures show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an uptick from 24 fatalities in the prior equivalent period. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, even though comprising less than four per cent of the national people. These sobering statistics emerge more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of recommendations. Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the prior year. A single death occurred in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were male. The remaining six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them. The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," with "illness." The report found that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases. State-by-State Distribution The Australian state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Indigenous deaths in prison custody 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 New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner has said. In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, respect and responsibility." Profile Information and Academic 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 expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and government action." Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with grieving families, said little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to address this issue. "It's maddening to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she commented. Since the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, according to the findings.