Sensitivity Warning
First Peoples
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this resource may contain images or names of people who have since passed away.
Report
SHARE
Deaths in custody in Australia 2024–25
Publisher
First Peoples incarceration
Prisoners
Deaths in custody
Youth justice
Australia
Resources
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Deaths in custody in Australia 2024–25
|
981.62 KB |
|
Deaths in custody by custodial authority and Indigenous status (data)
|
62 KB |
|
Deaths in prison custody (data)
|
109.09 KB |
|
Deaths in police custody and custody-related operations (data)
|
137.46 KB |
Description
The National Deaths in Custody Program has monitored the extent and nature of deaths occurring in prison, police custody and youth detention in Australia since 1980. This report contains detailed information on these deaths in 2024–25 and compares the findings with longer term trends.
Key findings
- There were 113 deaths in custody: 90 in prison custody, 22 in police custody or custody-related operations and one in youth detention.
- In total, there were 33 Indigenous deaths and 80 non-Indigenous deaths in custody.
- The largest number of Indigenous deaths in custody was recorded since 1979–80 and almost double the average since 1989–90.
- There were 90 deaths in prison custody, 14 more than in 2023–24.
- There was one death in youth detention, the second in as many years.
- New South Wales recorded the highest number of deaths in prison custody, followed by Western Australia and Queensland.
- Twenty-one males and one female died in police custody in 2024–25.
The report is accompanied by three data tables.
Related Information
Publication Details
DOI:
10.52922/sr78199
ISBN:
9781922878199
Copyright:
Australian Institute of Criminology 2025
License type:
CC BY
Access Rights Type:
open
Series:
Statistical Report no. 57
Post date:
11 Dec 2025
