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The count of Indigenous people dying while in detention in Australia has hit its record point since records started in 1980.

Recently released statistics show that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June have been identified as of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an increase from 24 deaths in the previous corresponding period.

Indigenous Australian people remain severely represented in the criminal justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, even though representing less than four per cent of the country's population.

These sobering figures come to light over three decades after a landmark inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which put forward numerous of recommendations.

Detailed Analysis of the Recent Figures

Of the 33 Indigenous deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, 26 took place while in a correctional facility, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

One death was in a juvenile facility, and the vast majority of the deceased were men.

The remaining six deaths took place in the custody of law enforcement, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The main reason of First Nations deaths was categorised as "self-harm," with "illness." The data noted that hanging was the cause in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Distribution

The Australian state of New South Wales had the highest number of Indigenous deaths in correctional facilities with nine, followed by 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 "profoundly distressing milestone," the state's chief medical examiner has said.

In October, Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan emphasised that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths required "independent and careful scrutiny, respect and accountability."

Profile Information and Expert Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and 11 of the individuals were awaiting a sentence.

A criminal law expert, Amanda Porter, characterised the data as representing a "country-wide crisis" that requires "decisive action and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at multiple coronial inquests with bereaved families, stated very little has changed since the 1991 royal commission that aimed to address this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to see the number of investigations I attend, the many memorials families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively worse," she commented.

From the time of the royal commission, a total of 600 Indigenous people have lost their lives in detention, which encompasses six in youth detention, according to the report.