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The number of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has hit its peak point since official data began in 1980.

New statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing less than four per cent of the national people.

These disturbing numbers emerge more than three decades after a seminal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Recent Statistics

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the previous year.

One death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the individuals were men.

The remaining six fatalities happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are detaining them.

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

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the highest number of Aboriginal 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 Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's coroner has stated.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, dignity and accountability."

Profile Details and Expert Reaction

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

A university expert, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "country-wide emergency" that needs "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that aimed to address this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she commented.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, as per the report.