Warning: this article contains the name of an Aboriginal person who has died.
An Indigenous man has died in custody at Parklea Prison in New South Wales, prompting a peaceful protest by fellow inmates.
The 41-year-old man, identified by The Daily Telegraph as Wayne Green, died at Westmead Hospital on Friday evening, reportedly due to medical complications.
He had been transferred from Parklea Correctional Centre for treatment just before 1pm, NSW Police said, after emergency services were called to the prison around 11:20 a.m. on Friday following "reports of an inmate requiring medical assistance".
Private prison operator Management & Training Corporation (MTC), which runs the facility, confirmed Mr Green died at 9:55 p.m. at Westmead Hospital.
"MTC extends our sympathies to his family, friends and the wider Aboriginal community," an MTC spokesperson said.
"We are working with Corrective Services NSW and NSW Police, who investigate all deaths in custody regardless of the circumstances.
"As the matter will be subject to a coronial inquest, it would be inappropriate to comment further."
The man was initially treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics and taken to Blacktown Hospital before being moved to Westmead Hospital, NSW Police said in a statement.
"Initial inquiries have led police to believe the man's death is not suspicious. A report will be prepared for the Coroner," a spokesperson added.
On Saturday morning, a group of inmates staged a peaceful protest, reportedly over Mr Green's treatment in the lead-up to his death.
A spokesperson for MTC told Guardian Australia the protest began around 9 a.m. in an accommodation unit.
"After a period of negotiation, the majority of inmates were voluntarily secured in their cells. A small number of inmate representatives then spoke with centre management," the spokesperson said.
"At about 12.30 p.m., inmates were released from their cells, and normal routine recommenced. There were no injuries to staff or inmates during the incident, and nothing was damaged."
According to The Daily Telegraph, anonymous family sources claimed the prison had not done enough to provide proper care. It was also reported that all prison visits were cancelled and outbound calls were temporarily blocked during the protest.
Mr Green's death marks at least the 598th Indigenous death in custody since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody — with 13 such deaths occurring this year alone.
Earlier this year, it was announced that MTC's contract to operate Parklea Prison would not be renewed, with Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) to assume management of the prison in October 2026.
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