First Nations Fatalities in Detention in Australia Reach Record Level Since 1980

The tally of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has reached its highest point since official data began in 1980.

Fresh data show 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 rise from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain disproportionately represented in the justice system. They constitute over 33% of all incarcerated individuals, even though representing less than four per cent of the country's population.

These disturbing statistics come to light more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in a correctional facility, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

A single death was in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the individuals were male.

The remaining six fatalities happened in the custody of law enforcement, defined as when someone passes away while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The data found that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Aboriginal 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 growing number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently remarked.

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

Demographic Details and Academic Reaction

The mean age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a court sentencing.

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that needs "decisive action and political action."

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

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting increasingly more severe," she noted.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have died in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the report.