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The count of Indigenous people losing their lives while in detention in Australia has reached its highest point since the beginning of official data began in 1980.

New data indicate that 33 of the 113 people who passed away in detention in the 12-month period ending in June were Indigenous. This marks an uptick from 24 fatalities in the previous corresponding period.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain grossly represented in the justice system. They make up more than one-third of all prisoners, even though representing less than four per cent of the country's people.

These disturbing figures emerge more than three decades after a landmark inquiry into Indigenous deaths in custody, which made hundreds of proposed changes.

Breakdown of the Latest Figures

Of the 33 Aboriginal deaths in custody logged between last July and this June, twenty-six occurred while in prison custody, which is an rise from 18 in the previous year.

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

The other six fatalities took place in police custody, defined as a situation where someone dies while police are holding or attempting to detain them.

The leading cause of Indigenous deaths was classified as "self-inflicted," followed by "illness." The report noted that asphyxiation was the cause in eight of the deaths.

Geographic Breakdown

The Australian state of New South Wales had the highest number of Indigenous 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 Indigenous deaths in custody in this state is a "profoundly distressing reality," the state's coroner recently said.

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

Profile Details and Expert Response

The average age of those who died was 45 years, and eleven of the deceased were still waiting for a court sentencing.

A university expert, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "national emergency" that needs "leadership and political action."

Ms. Porter, who has been present at several official inquiries with grieving families, stated very little has improved since the 1991's royal commission that was established to address this crisis.

"It's heartbreaking to witness the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the fact that we are 30 years after the inquiry, and the situation is getting progressively more severe," she noted.

Since the landmark inquiry, a approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, which includes six in juvenile detention centers, according to the report.