The death of a female inmate who repeatedly claimed "I can't breathe" has sparked calls for a state to reconsider the use of spit hoods.

The controversial safety covering has again come under the spotlight after a coroner's report into the death of Selesa Tafaifa, a 44-year-old woman of Samoan heritage.

Her family had asked for spit hoods to be banned in Queensland after her November 2021 death at Townsville Women's Correctional Centre sparked an inquest.

Deputy State Coroner Stephanie Gallagher said this week in her findings that she could not make that recommendation due to limited evidence of spit hoods contributing to Ms Tafaifa's death.

However, she said Queensland should consider taking the same action as other states and territories who have stopped using the controversial coverings.

"The fact that other jurisdictions have ceased the use of safety hoods is a basis upon which, if it has not already occurred, Queensland Corrective Services should consider whether its operational needs require the devices to continue to be used," Ms Gallagher said.

The coroner found Ms Tafaifa died during a prolonged physical interaction with corrections officers where she was restrained with handcuffs and a spit hood.

Less than a minute after a spit hood was placed on Ms Tafaifa's head she said "I can't breathe" several times.

The officers' complaints of bodily fluid leaving Ms Tafaifa's mouth could have been the result of heavy breathing as opposed to actively spitting at someone, Ms Gallagher found.

Corrective officers realised three minutes later that Ms Tafaifa was in cardiac arrest.

She suffered a cardiac arrest from several contributing factors including physical exertion and restraint, a spit hood causing her hair to be held across her face and significant pre-existing health problems.

Her family had sought a coroner's recommendation that Queensland Corrective Services prohibit the use of safety hoods in all correctional facilities and the state government consider legislating a ban.

In Queensland and Western Australia spit hoods are permitted for use in adult prisons.

They are banned in ACT and South Australia while NSW, Tasmania and Victoria do not use them.

Debate over spit hoods was recently sparked by crime-hit Northern Territory's plan to reinstate them in youth detention centres for the first time in 10 years, with critics calling it a "dangerous tactic".

Spit hoods were already available to NT police and correctional officers for adults in custody.

Ms Tafaifa's daughter, Salote Isaako, told the inquest that her mother had struggled with time in custody and mental health issues but had always taken care of her.

"The family hopes to expose the truths behind her death, and they fight with faith, dignity, honour, courage and persistence to ensure that what Selesa was forced to endure never happens again to anyone's mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, grandfather," she said.

Ms Gallagher recommended corrective services consider a review of officers' training on the deployment of spit hoods and monitoring prisoners subject to their use. .

Ms Tafaifa was restrained during a confrontation with officers after being denied a phone call.

Ms Isaako said her mother had a "daily ritual" of making phone calls to relatives, and it was both her lifeline and important for her family leadership role as part of Samoan culture.

Ms Gallagher recommended corrective services consider implementing a phone system that allows prisoners to make free phone calls to loved ones.

Comment has been sought from the Queensland government which is now required to respond to Ms Gallagher's recommendations.

Australian Associated Press