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The tally of First Nations people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has hit its highest point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Recently released figures reveal that 33 of the 113 people who died in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This represents an rise from 24 fatalities in the preceding equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people remain severely represented in the criminal justice system. They constitute over 33% of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the national people.

These concerning numbers come to light more than three decades after a pivotal royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures

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

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

The remaining six fatalities happened in police custody, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The data found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Indigenous deaths in prison custody 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 reality," the state's chief medical examiner has stated.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful scrutiny, dignity and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Academic Reaction

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "country-wide crisis" that requires "leadership and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended multiple coronial inquests with grieving families, stated very little has changed since the 1991's royal commission that was established to address this issue.

"It's maddening to see the number of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the situation is getting increasingly more severe," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.