Rate of Indigenous people in jail has risen by 20% since 2019, Closing the Gap data shows

Indigenous organisations have urged greater action from all governments around Australia to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in light of new Closing the Gap data. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

The rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people imprisoned increased by 12% in a year and was up 20% since 2019 – despite state and federal governments agreeing to reduce rates of incarceration by 15% by 2031 in June 2020.

Indigenous organisations have urged greater action from all governments to improve the lives of Indigenous people after new Closing the Gap data revealed child protection, Indigenous incarceration and suicide rates were getting worse.