🔗 Share this article

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

New statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the year ending in June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an increase from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people are grossly represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, even though representing less than four per cent of the national people.

These sobering statistics come to light over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Recent Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged 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 the vast majority of the individuals were men.

The remaining six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main reason of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

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

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

Demographic Information and Academic Reaction

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, stated little has improved since the 1991's national inquiry that was established to address this issue.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades after the royal commission, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the report.