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The count of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has hit its record point since official data began in 1980.

Recently released data show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an rise from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are disproportionately represented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all prisoners, even though representing under 4% of the national population.

These disturbing statistics emerge more than three decades after a landmark royal commission into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Statistics

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 prior year.

A single death occurred in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were men.

The remaining six deaths happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are detaining them.

The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was categorised as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The data noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Distribution

The Australian state of New South Wales recorded the greatest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

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

Demographic Details and Academic Response

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as representing a "national crisis" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several coronial inquests with grieving families, said very little has changed since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to tackle this issue.

"It's infuriating to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the royal commission, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in youth detention, as per the findings.