First Nations Deaths in Custody in the Nation Reach Record Number Since the Start of 1980

The count of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has reached its record point since records began in 1980.

Fresh data reveal that 33 of the 113 people who died in detention in the year ending in June were Indigenous. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the previous equivalent period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the national population.

These concerning numbers emerge over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

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

A single death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were male.

The other six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are detaining them.

The main reason of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "natural causes." The report noted that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Distribution

The state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in prison custody with nine, followed by Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory all recorded three deaths.

The growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner has stated.

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

Demographic Details and Academic Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the individuals were still waiting for a sentence.

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the data as representing a "country-wide emergency" that needs "leadership and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several official inquiries with grieving families, said very little has changed since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to address this issue.

"It's maddening to witness the number of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the problem is getting progressively worse," she noted.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, according to the findings.