In Australia, deaths in custody are a significant issue that has been the subject of ongoing public concern and government action. According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, there were 474 deaths in custody between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2019.
Indigenous Australians are disproportionately represented in deaths in custody, with Indigenous people making up around 29% of the prison population but accounting for around 47% of deaths in custody. This disparity is often attributed to a range of factors, including poverty, poor health, and a history of discrimination and over-representation in the criminal justice system.
There are a variety of causes of deaths in custody in Australia, including natural causes, suicide, and homicide. The majority of deaths in custody are due to natural causes, with suicide and homicide accounting for a smaller proportion.
The Australian government has implemented a number of measures to address deaths in custody. These include the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, which was established in 1987 and made 339 recommendations aimed at reducing the number of Indigenous deaths in custody. The government has also implemented a National Deaths in Custody Monitoring Program, which collects data on deaths in custody and provides information to assist in the development of policy and practice.
In addition to government action, there have been calls for changes in the criminal justice system to address the underlying issues that contribute to deaths in custody. These include reducing the number of people in prison, addressing the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, and addressing the underlying social and economic factors that contribute to crime and incarceration.
However, despite the efforts made to reduce the number of deaths in custody, the problem persists. Many organizations, including the Human Rights Law Centre, Amnesty International, and the Indigenous Social Justice Association, have called for more action to be taken to address the issue. In particular, they have called for the implementation of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and for greater transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.
In conclusion, deaths in custody in Australia are a significant issue that disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians. A variety of causes, including natural causes, suicide, and homicide, contribute to the problem. While the government has implemented measures to address the issue, more needs to be done to address the underlying issues that contribute to deaths in custody and to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system.
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