Australia sees highest Indigenous deaths in custody in 40 years

Report says 33 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people died in custody in 2024–25, nearly double long-term average, as Indigenous communities remain overrepresented in prisons

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – 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.

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