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The number of First Nations people dying while in custody in Australia has reached its highest point since records started in 1980.

New figures reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This represents an rise from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent 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 comprising less than four per cent of the country's population.

These disturbing statistics come to light more than three decades after a seminal royal commission into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, 26 occurred while in prison custody, which is an increase from 18 in the prior year.

One death was in youth detention, and all except one of the deceased were male.

The other six deaths took place in police custody, 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-inflicted," with "natural causes." The data noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Distribution

The state of New South Wales had the highest number of Aboriginal 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales is a "deeply distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner has stated.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this upward trend was not "mere statistics" and that these deaths required "thorough and careful examination, respect and responsibility."

Profile Details and Academic Reaction

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

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

Ms. Porter, who has attended several official inquiries with grieving families, stated very little has changed since the 1991's national inquiry that was established to address this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of inquests I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the fact that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the problem is getting increasingly worse," she noted.

Since the landmark inquiry, a total of 600 First Nations people have lost their lives in custody, which encompasses six in juvenile detention centers, as per the findings.