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The tally of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has climbed to its highest point since the beginning of official data began in 1980.

New data show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an uptick from 24 deaths in the preceding equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people are grossly overrepresented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all incarcerated individuals, even though comprising less than four per cent of the national people.

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

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Statistics

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody recorded between last July and this June, twenty-six took place while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

A single death was in a juvenile facility, and all except one of the individuals were men.

The other six fatalities took place in police custody, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are detaining them.

The leading cause of First Nations deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," with "natural causes." The data noted that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the deaths.

State-by-State Breakdown

The state of New South Wales recorded the highest 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 rising number of Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's chief medical examiner has said.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, dignity and accountability."

Demographic Information and Expert Response

The mean age of those who died was 45, and 11 of the deceased were still waiting for a sentence.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as reflecting a "country-wide emergency" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with grieving families, said little has improved since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to tackle this crisis.

"It's maddening to see the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the royal commission, and the problem is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

From the time of the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.