Justice Reform Initiative Media Release, 15 October 2025
The Justice Reform Initiative says the record number of Aboriginal deaths in custody in New South Wales this year is a devastating reminder of the harms of incarceration and the failure of punitive criminal justice policies.
The NSW State Coroner has confirmed that 12 First Nations people have died in custody so far in 2025 — the highest number ever recorded in a single year. The Coroner also reported that the number of Aboriginal people in custody has risen by nearly 19% over the past five years.
Justice Reform Initiative Executive Director Dr Mindy Sotiri said the figures highlight the deep systemic failures of over-incarceration in NSW and across the country.
“The immense tragedy of these 12 deaths in custody is compounded by the fact that despite decades of evidence, successive Governments have failed to act,” Dr Sotiri said.
“Over 30 years ago, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody clearly stated that in order to prevent Aboriginal deaths in custody, we needed to address the systemic over-incarceration of Aboriginal people.”
“We have completely failed as a community to do this. All Australian jurisdictions including NSW are overseeing increased First Nations incarceration. We are seeing increased spending on imprisonment, ongoing over-policing of Aboriginal communities, the increased use of remand, alongside chronic under-investment in community led and community-based support.”
“In order to build safer communities, and reduce the harms of imprisonment, we need to look at the evidence about what actually works to reduce crime.”
“The Justice Reform Initiative supports the Coroner’s calls for independent and careful scrutiny, respect and accountability. We also support the calls of the Aboriginal Legal Service in NSW for the NSW Government to genuinely commit to its obligations under the Closing the Gap agreement and move away from the punitive laws that funnel far too many people into prison.”
The Justice Reform Initiative is calling for urgent investment in community-led, evidence-based alternatives that reduce reoffending and strengthen public safety.
“We know what works: investment in community led solutions that address the drivers of crime and disadvantage and that keep people connected to family, culture, housing, and education,” Dr Sotiri said.
Media contact: Amy Price 0437 027 156
The Initiative respectfully acknowledges and supports the current and longstanding efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to reduce the numbers of Indigenous people incarcerated in Australia and, importantly, the leadership role which Indigenous-led organisations continue to play on this issue. We also acknowledge the work of many other individuals and organisations seeking change, such as those focused on the rate of imprisonment for women, people with mental health issues, people with disability and others.