# Record Indigenous deaths in NSW custody spark fears this year will be worse

https://mins.news/en/item/12046

- The Guardian, 2026-08-02 15:00 UTC
- Society
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/03/rising-indigenous-deaths-custody-nsw-ntwnfb

> A record number of First Nations people died in New South Wales prison custody last year. Advocates warn that figure could be surpassed this year after two Indigenous men died this month. Matthew Roberts, a 27-year-old Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gamilaroi man and father of two, took his own life at Lithgow correctional centre on 7 July, three months after being remanded in custody. A second First Nations man, aged 21, died a week later at Clarence correctional centre.