Australia recorded its highest number of Indigenous deaths in custody in 40 years between July 2024 and June 2025, the Australian Institute of Criminology said Wednesday.
Thirty-three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people died in custody during the period, almost double the average since 1989-90, out of a total of 113 deaths, the report said.
Indigenous deaths made up 29% of all deaths in custody, marking a 23% rise from 2023-24 and the highest proportion since 2002-03.
New South Wales recorded the highest number of Indigenous deaths in prison custody.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 3.8% of Australia's population but more than one-third of the country's prisoners, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
