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The tally of First Nations people losing their lives while in custody in Australia has climbed to its record point since official data started in 1980.

Recently released data reveal that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in custody in the 12-month period ending in June have been identified as Indigenous. This represents an rise from 24 deaths in the prior equivalent period.

Indigenous Australian people are grossly overrepresented in the justice system. They constitute more than one-third of all prisoners, despite comprising less than four per cent of the country's people.

These disturbing statistics come to light over three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which made hundreds of recommendations.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

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

One death occurred in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority 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 main reason of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "natural causes." The report noted that hanging was the method in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Distribution

The state of New South Wales had the highest 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 increasing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing reality," the state's chief medical examiner recently said.

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

Profile Information and Expert Reaction

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

A criminal law associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as representing a "national emergency" that needs "leadership and political action."

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

"It's infuriating to see the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she noted.

From the time of the royal commission, a approximately 600 First Nations people have died in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.