Stanley Lord died in custody while serving an 18 month sentence for driving on a disqualified licence, an inquiry into his death heard at the NSW coroner's court today.
On the 5th of July 2012, 39-year-old Stanley Lord began his sentence at Wellington Correction Centre in central western NSW.
He was moved to Long Bay's Metropolitan Special Programs Centre on December 12, where his health and a heart condition were monitored.
On the second of January last year he was transferred to Sydney's Prince of Wales hospital where he was treated for a separate condition, but died 17 days later from cardiac failure.
The family of Mr Lord is urging people to support its call for justice against Indigenous deaths in custody.
His brother Anthony Coombes today questioned why his brother died.
"He was transferred from Wellington to Long Bay because of medical concerns," said Mr Coombes.
"Aboriginal people lose people all the time but for our little family this is the hardest thing that's ever happened to us," he said.
Mr Lord's mother Marlene Lord today appealed for help in reducing Indigenous deaths in custody.
"We all loved bud, every time he went to the court house I was there it was really sad to see. Please help us."
Anthony Coombes says his brother's life could have been saved with alternative sentencing programs.
"If we can get circle sentencing in to every court room across Australia then aboriginal people will be able to deal with aboriginal people because aboriginal people know what aboriginal people go through and this is one of the things that is killing our people."
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 783 people were jailed for traffic and vehicle offences in 2013 30% of those were Indigenous, despite making up less than 3 per cent of the population.
"The police sort of pick on aboriginal people they do and something's got to be done," said Ms Lord.
"Even if you put them on work experience or something you've got to do something. My son didn't deserve to die like that he was a good boy."
"What aboriginal person gets three years for driving...no-one."
The NSW state coroners court will deliver its findings on Thursday.
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