Key facts
- First Nations advocates are concerned about a worsening crisis in New South Wales prisons.
- Two recent fatalities have occurred in New South Wales prisons.
- There are fears that the number of Indigenous deaths in custody may surpass last year's record.
- The state's prison population has surged.
- There has been a disproportionate increase in First Nations individuals entering custody in New South Wales.
First Nations advocates are raising serious concerns that New South Wales prisons may be on track to surpass last year's record number of Indigenous deaths in custody. This fear is amplified by two recent fatalities within the state's correctional facilities. The prison population in New South Wales has experienced a substantial surge. This increase is particularly concerning as it disproportionately affects First Nations individuals, who are entering custody at a higher rate. Advocates worry that these trends indicate a worsening crisis, potentially leading to more deaths in the coming period. The current situation highlights ongoing systemic issues within the justice system that disproportionately impact Indigenous people. The record number of deaths in the previous year already signaled a critical problem, and the recent fatalities suggest that the situation is not improving and may, in fact, be escalating. The advocates are calling for urgent attention and intervention to address the root causes contributing to these tragic outcomes.