Record Number of Indigenous Deaths in Australian Custody in Past Year
In the 12 months leading to June, Australia recorded a troubling total of 33 Indigenous deaths in custody, marking the highest level since such records began in 1980. These deaths occurred out of 113 custody deaths overall during this period. Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people, who make up less than 4% of the national population yet represent over one-third of the prison population, remain disproportionately affected.
Of the 33 Indigenous deaths, 26 were in prison custody, one in youth detention, and six in police custody; 32 of the deceased were male and one was female. The leading causes of death were predominantly self-inflicted harm, followed by natural causes, with eight deaths attributed to hanging.
New South Wales recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in prison custody at nine, followed by Western Australia with six. Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory each reported three deaths. The average age at death was 45 years, with 11 of the deceased individuals awaiting sentencing.
The rise in deaths has been described as a profoundly distressing milestone by the New South Wales state coroner, while Magistrate Teresa O'Sullivan has called for independent scrutiny, respect, and accountability concerning these incidents. Since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, approximately 600 Indigenous people have died in custody, including six in youth detention.
