Investigation underway into death of Port Phillip Prison inmate

The death of an inmate at Port Phillip Prison is being probed following a series of violent incidents at the maximum security jail.

A prisoner has been found dead at Port Phillip Prison. Picture: David Caird

A prisoner has died at Victoria’s largest maximum security prison.

The inmate, who identified as Aboriginal, died at Port Phillip Prison on Monday night.

The Herald Sun understands he died of medical problems.

Police will prepare a report for a coroner, as is standard practice with deaths in custody.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety said a smoking ceremony would also be arranged.

“As the prisoner identified as an Aboriginal man, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus was advised, and we continue to work closely with them and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria,” a spokeswoman said.

“We recognise that all deaths in custody have impacts on family members, friends, corrections staff, victims of crime, and the Aboriginal community. We are consulting with all affected by this death to ensure they are provided with the support they need.”

In March, three Aboriginals died in custody across Australia in a single week.

The deaths reignited calls for the government to take action on recommendations yet to be implemented 30 years on from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Opposition corrections spokesman David Southwick said “any death in custody is deeply concerning”.

“Port Phillip Prison continues to make the news for all the wrong reasons,” he said.

“The Victorian Liberal Nationals called for an independent review of this facility yet more than 12 months on, the Andrews Government has failed to act and serious incidents remain a common occurrence.”

“The Andrews Government must act immediately on our call for a prison review to ensure our prisons are safe for both staff and prisoners.”\

There have been a series of recent violent incidents at Port Phillip Prison, located in Truganina.

They include two staff members assaulted in a single incident last week.

Days earlier hot water was tipped over another worker.