🔗 Share this article First Nations Fatalities in Custody in the Nation Climb to Highest Number Since the Start of 1980 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees account for more than a third of the country's incarcerated population. The tally of First Nations people dying while in detention in Australia has climbed to its record point since official data started in 1980. Recently released data reveal that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period leading up to June were Indigenous. This represents an increase from 24 fatalities in the preceding corresponding period. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain severely overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though comprising under 4% of the national people. These concerning statistics come to light over three decades after a pivotal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of proposed changes. Breakdown of the Latest Statistics Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the prior 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 passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them. The leading cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths. State-by-State Distribution The Australian 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 this state is a "deeply distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner has stated. In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful examination, dignity and accountability." Profile Details and Expert Response The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a court sentencing. A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that requires "decisive action and political action." Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has changed since the 1991's national inquiry that was established to tackle this issue. "It's maddening to witness the quantity of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly more severe," she noted. From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, as per the report.