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The number of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its record point since records started in 1980.

Fresh figures indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an rise from 24 fatalities in the prior corresponding period.

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

These sobering figures emerge over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

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

One death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the individuals were male.

The other six fatalities took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are detaining them.

The leading cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The report found that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Distribution

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

The increasing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner has remarked.

In a recent statement, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, respect and responsibility."

Profile Information and Expert Response

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with bereaved families, said little has changed since the 1991 royal commission that was established to address this issue.

"It's infuriating to witness the quantity of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the report.