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The number of Indigenous people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of records started in 1980.

Recently released statistics reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all prisoners, despite comprising less than four per cent of the country's population.

These disturbing figures come to light over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Recent Figures

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

A single death occurred in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were male.

The remaining six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The leading reason of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report found that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the cases.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the highest number of Indigenous 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 Indigenous deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner has stated.

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

Demographic Information and Expert Response

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said very little has changed since the 1991's royal commission that aimed to tackle this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of investigations I attend, the number memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which includes six in youth detention, as per the report.