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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 records began in 1980.

New statistics reveal that 33 of the 113 people who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This marks an increase from 24 deaths in the preceding equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people remain disproportionately represented in the justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, despite comprising less than four per cent of the national people.

These concerning numbers emerge over three decades after a seminal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

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 prior year.

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

The other six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are detaining them.

The main cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "natural causes." The data noted that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales had the greatest number of Indigenous deaths in correctional facilities with nine, followed by 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 "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner recently said.

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

Profile Information and Expert Response

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "national crisis" that requires "decisive action and political action."

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

"It's maddening to see the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which includes six in youth detention, according to the report.