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The tally of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its peak point since the beginning of official data started in 1980.

Fresh figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the year leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning numbers emerge more than three decades after a landmark royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

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

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

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

The primary cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The data noted that asphyxiation was the method in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Distribution

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in prison custody with nine, then 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 this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's coroner has said.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising pattern was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful examination, respect and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Expert Reaction

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

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that requires "decisive action and political action."

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

"It's maddening to see the quantity of inquests I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she commented.

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in youth detention, as per the findings.