Australia recorded in 2024–25 the largest number of Indigenous deaths in custody since 1979–80, when monitoring began under the National Deaths in Custody Program.
During the year, 90 prisoners died in prison custody, 26 of whom were Indigenous. All but one were male. Ten deaths were “self-inflicted”.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner deaths accounted for 29% of all deaths in prison custody in 2024–25. This is lower than the Indigenous proportion of the prison population in the June quarter 2025,” the report said.
Of the six who died in police custody and custody-related operations, three were in NSW and one each in Victoria, NT and WA. Details of the youth detention death were not included due to privacy.
Of the 22 people who died in police custody in 2024–25, six were Indigenous.
New South Wales had the highest number of deaths in prison custody, with nine deaths.
The total number of Indigenous people who died in prison custody was the largest since 1979-80.
Indigenous deaths in prison custody, 1981-82 to 2024-25
Deaths in custody in Australia 2024–25 (AIC NDICP)
Indigenous deaths in prison custody, 2024-25
Deaths in custody in Australia 2024–25 (AIC NDICP)
b: Excludes 7 deaths where cause of death information was not available
c: Excludes 7 deaths where manner of death information was not available
d: Includes self-harm, whether intentional, unintentional or unknown, and accidental hangings
Deaths in custody in Australia 2024–25 (AIC NDICP)
The figures have been released by the Australian Institute of Criminology in a report from the program. They include deaths in prison custody, police custody and custody related operations, and youth detention.
In the 2024–25 year, 33 of the 113 deaths in custody were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
The National Deaths in Custody Program has monitored deaths occurring in custody since 1980. The Australian Institute of Criminology coordinates the program.
There was one Indigenous death in youth detention in 2024-25.
The 26 Indigenous deaths in prison custody was an increase from the 18 deaths recorded in 2023-24.
There were six Indigenous prisoners who died in Western Australia, three each in Queensland, South Australia and the ACT. Victoria had two Indigenous deaths in prison. There were none in Tasmania or the Northern Territory.
“The proportion of Indigenous deaths in prison custody in 2024–25 exceeds the average of 19% recorded since 1979–80 for the third consecutive year.”
