🔗 Share this article

The number of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its record point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

New data reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain grossly overrepresented in the justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite representing less than four per cent of the national population.

These disturbing numbers come to light over three decades after a pivotal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Statistics

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

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

The other 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 primary cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "illness." The data found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Distribution

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Aboriginal 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 rising number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

In a recent statement, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, dignity and accountability."

Demographic Details and Expert Reaction

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

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that needs "leadership and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, stated very little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that was established to tackle this crisis.

"It's maddening to see the quantity of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she commented.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the findings.