Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Jordyn Beazley

‘Profoundly distressing’: record number of deaths in custody and police operations in NSW

There were 39 deaths in NSW custody in 2025. Of those, 12 were First Nations people, also a record high.
There were 39 deaths in NSW custody in 2025. Of those, 12 were First Nations people, also a record high. Photograph: Paul Miller/AAP

There were a record number of New South Wales deaths in custody and police operations last year, with almost a quarter of prisoner deaths recorded as self-harm, a coroner’s court report states.

Of those who killed themselves, most were by hanging, despite millions being invested to remove ligature points.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.