ACT Policing are investigating the death of a 34-year-old Aboriginal man who was found "unresponsive" in his prison cell on Thursday morning.
Correctional staff at the Alexander Maconochie Centre discovered the inmate's body about 7.50am. The public was notified just before 5pm.
"Despite efforts by staff and emergency services, he was declared deceased a short time later," a police spokesperson said.
Police said they were looking into the circumstances surrounding the man's death.
"A report will be prepared for the coroner," the spokesperson said. "As the death is a death in custody, a hearing must be held at a future date."
This is the second death in custody at the AMC in less than five weeks. Previously, a man was found "unconscious" and declared dead in the prison on July 31.
The 34-year-old who died on Thursday was a former client at Winnunga Nimmitjyah's health clinic inside the Alexander Maconochie Centre, chief executive of the organisation Julie Tongs said.
She also said the man identified as having Aboriginal heritage.
"He was a human being that died in a prison. In this prison, here in Canberra. How many more are going to die in there before [the government] does anything?" Ms Tongs said.
She said two deaths in custody within five weeks was a good enough reason to demand an independent inquiry into the prison system.
"There are lots of things that we know aren't right in the prison," Ms Tongs said.
"There's lots of things that aren't right, right across the whole system here in the ACT that keep getting covered up, and until we rip the scab off, we're not going to change anything."
The Minister for Corrections and Justice Health, Emma Davidson, said the 34-year-old's death on Thursday would be "a very distressing situation for the family involved, staff and others" at the prison.
"My thoughts are with the family, friends and community of the deceased," she said.
"Every death is a tragedy and felt deeply across the community. I recognise many people will be struggling with this news today.
"ACT Corrective Services is providing support to people within AMC and the family involved. The matter has been referred to the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services and Worksafe as required by law."
She declined to provide further details. The matter is under investigation by police.
Last week, the coronial inquest into the death of Luke Rich who died by suicide on February 1, 2022, found serious flaws in the door of his prison cell.
Following his death, a separate "critical incident" report had revealed the government had not made the "urgent" changes "due to budget constraints".
"The rear doors of the management unit (where Luke Rich was incarcerated) were known to be used as a ligature point for those detainees minded to committing acts of self-harm," the coroner said.
"In 2020, they had been identified as needing urgent replacement. They were not replaced."
- Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; Men's Referral Service 1300 776 491; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732
