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The number 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 indicate that 33 of the 113 individuals who died in detention in the 12-month period leading up to June were of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This represents an increase from 24 fatalities in the previous corresponding period.

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

These disturbing figures come to light more than three decades after a seminal inquiry into First Nations deaths in custody, which put forward hundreds of proposed changes.

Detailed Analysis of the Latest Figures

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

One death occurred in youth detention, and the vast majority of the individuals were men.

The remaining six fatalities happened in police custody, 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-inflicted," with "natural causes." The data found that hanging was the method in eight of the cases.

State-by-State Distribution

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 growing number of First Nations deaths in custody in this state is a "deeply distressing tragedy," the state's coroner recently said.

In October, Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan stressed that this rising trend was not "just statistics" and that these deaths demanded "thorough and careful scrutiny, respect and responsibility."

Demographic Information and Academic Response

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

A university associate professor, Amanda Porter, described the figures as reflecting a "country-wide crisis" that needs "decisive action and government action."

Ms. Porter, who has attended several coronial inquests with bereaved families, said very little has changed since the 1991 national inquiry that was established to address this crisis.

"It's infuriating to see the number of investigations I attend, the many funerals families have to attend, and the reality that we are three decades past the royal commission, and the situation is getting increasingly worse," she commented.

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