Tasmania's Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS) says an Aboriginal woman has died in custody.
The woman was on remand at Mary Hutchinson Women's Prison at Risdon Vale, on the outskirts of Hobart.
According to the Tasmanian Prison Service, she suffered a "serious medical episode" on Saturday 25 October, and was transferred to the Royal Hobart Hospital in the early hours of that morning.
She passed away at the hospital on Monday.
TALS CEO Jake Smith said the incident will "profoundly impact" her family and community.
“TALS stands ready to support the family and community during this difficult time,” Mr Smith said.
“It is with great sadness that we have seen an Aboriginal death in custody here in Tasmania.
The state's Indigenous population are statistically five times more likely to be imprisoned than their non-Indigenous counterparts, something Mr Smith said TALS has long advocated against.
“While it is too early to comment on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event, it is a reminder of the urgent need for culturally safe and effective justice systems.”
