First Nations Deaths in NSW Prisons Hit Record, Advocates Fear 2026

First Nations deaths in NSW prisons reached a record high last year, and advocates are warning that 2025 could be even deadlier after two Indigenous men died in custody within weeks. The latest tragedies highlight a systemic crisis in Australia's correctional system, demanding urgent attention and reform.

Record Number of Indigenous Deaths in NSW Custody

In 2024, New South Wales recorded the highest number of First Nations deaths in prison custody since official records began. According to data from the NSW Coroner's Court, at least 10 Indigenous people died in custody last year, surpassing the previous record of 8 set in 2019. This alarming trend has prompted community leaders and advocacy groups to call for immediate action.

This year, the crisis has continued. On 7 July, Matthew Roberts, a 27-year-old Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gamilaroi man and father of two, took his life at Lithgow Correctional Centre. Just a week later, a 21-year-old First Nations man died at Clarence Correctional Centre. These deaths have reignited calls for a national inquiry into the disproportionate rates of Indigenous incarceration and deaths in custody.

Systemic Failures and Mental Health Crisis

Advocates argue that the prison system is failing to address the underlying mental health and social issues that lead to Indigenous deaths. Matthew Roberts' mother, Karlene Whitton, revealed that her son had been on suicide watch during a previous imprisonment and had expressed suicidal thoughts on the night he died. She told reporters, "He hung up and said 'I love you, Mum', and I started crying and thinking, 'Oh, please don't!'".

Corrective Services NSW responded by stating that the "intersection between mental health and the justice system is complex" and that they work with Justice Health to deliver care. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient, as the number of deaths continues to rise. The Dhadjowa Foundation, which supports grieving families, has been assisting the Roberts family with funeral costs, highlighting the financial and emotional burden placed on families.

Comparison of Deaths in Custody: 2019 vs 2024

To understand the severity of the issue, here is a comparison of key statistics:

This data shows that while the overall prison population has grown, the Indigenous death rate has increased disproportionately. Indigenous Australians make up only about 3% of the national population, yet they represent nearly 30% of the prison population in NSW.

Key Takeaways for Policy Makers

• Immediate implementation of the 139 recommendations from the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, many of which remain unaddressed.
• Increased investment in community-led mental health and suicide prevention programs for Indigenous Australians.
• Mandatory cultural awareness training for all prison staff and correctional officers.
• Independent oversight of all deaths in custody to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Alternative sentencing options to reduce the over-incarceration of First Nations people for non-violent offences.

FAQ

As Australia grapples with this ongoing tragedy, the voices of families like the Roberts' demand that we do better. No family should have to fundraise to bury a loved one who died in state care. The time for action is now.

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