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The count of Indigenous people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of records began in 1980.

Fresh figures indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the country's people.

These disturbing figures come to light over three decades after a seminal inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

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

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

The primary cause of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The report found that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Indigenous 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 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 upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "independent and careful scrutiny, dignity and responsibility."

Profile Details and Academic Reaction

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the deceased were still waiting for a court sentencing.

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

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated very little has improved since the 1991's national inquiry that was established to tackle this crisis.

"It's maddening to witness the quantity of inquests I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades after the inquiry, and the problem is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.