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The count of First Nations people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has reached its highest point since the beginning of records started in 1980.

Fresh data reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in detention in the year ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the prior corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain severely represented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, even though representing less than four per cent of the national people.

These concerning numbers come to light over three decades after a landmark royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

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

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

The leading reason of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "illness." The report found that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the highest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has said.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, respect and accountability."

Profile Details and Academic Reaction

The mean age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the deceased were still waiting for a sentence.

A university associate professor, 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 royal commission that was established to address this crisis.

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

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the findings.