🔗 Share this article Aboriginal Deaths in Detention in the Nation Hit Highest Number Since 1980 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners account for more than a third of the country's incarcerated population. The tally of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of official data started in 1980. Recently released figures show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the prior corresponding period. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are grossly represented in the criminal justice system. They make up over 33% of all prisoners, despite representing less than four per cent of the country's people. These disturbing statistics come to light more than three decades after a pivotal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations. Breakdown of the Recent Statistics Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the prior year. A single death was in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the individuals were men. The remaining six fatalities happened in police custody, defined as a situation where someone passes away while police are detaining them. The primary reason of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-harm," followed by "illness." The report noted that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths. State-by-State Breakdown The state of New South Wales recorded the greatest number of Aboriginal deaths in correctional facilities with nine, then Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory each had three deaths. The growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's coroner recently said. In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this upward pattern was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, dignity and accountability." Profile Details and Academic Reaction The average age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the deceased were still waiting for a court sentencing. A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the figures as representing a "national emergency" that requires "leadership and government action." Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple official inquiries with bereaved families, stated very little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that was established to tackle this issue. "It's infuriating to witness the quantity of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are 30 years after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted. From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.