Aboriginal Fatalities in Custody in Australia Climb to Record Number Since 1980

The number of Indigenous people dying while in detention in Australia has reached its record point since the beginning of records started in 1980.

Recently released statistics show that 33 of the 113 individuals who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly represented in the justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, despite comprising under 4% of the country's population.

These concerning statistics emerge over three decades after a seminal 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 took place while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

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

The other six deaths happened in police custody, defined as when someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The primary cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "natural causes." The report noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in prison custody with nine, followed by Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory each had three deaths.

The rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's coroner has stated.

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

Demographic Details and Expert Response

The average age of those who died was 45, and eleven of the deceased were awaiting a sentence.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended 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 witness the quantity of investigations I attend, the number funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which includes six in youth detention, according to the findings.