Indigenous deaths in custody will be now recorded in real time following the launch of a data dashboard this week by the Federal Government.
Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody handed down its report in 1991, there have been more than 540 First Nations deaths in custody.
The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) has monitored deaths in custody since 1992, but the Real-Time Deaths in Custody Dashboard allows the institute to report deaths in real time.
The site provides up‑to-date information on all deaths occurring nationally in police and prison custody, as well as in youth detention. The information is listed under custody type, indigenous status, sex and age group.
Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said there had been a lack of trusted information available when a death in custody occurred.
“Real-time data on deaths in prisons, police custody and youth detention centres will provide greater transparency and accountability for all governments,” Ms Burney said.
“Having more timely data is a key step towards better-informed early intervention and prevention strategies to reduce First Nations deaths in custody and improve justice outcomes.”
View the Real-Time Deaths in Custody Dashboard at:
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