A PRISONER was found dead in his cell at Port Phillip Prison in Truganina earlier this month.
It is believed the prisoner committed suicide.
A spokesperson for Corrections Victoria said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
“A 36-year-old prisoner was found deceased at the privately run Port Phillip Prison on Sunday (17 February) morning,” the spokesperson said.
“Local police attended the prison, and the matter has been referred to the coroner for investigation in line with normal practice.”
The death followed an incident where another prisoner started a fire in his cell, which the spokesperson said was quickly put out.
“In a separate incident, a prisoner used a book to light a small fire in his cell at Port Phillip Prison on Monday, 11 February,” the spokesperson said.
“Staff responded immediately and the fire was extinguished within minutes.
“No staff or prisoners were injured and the damage was restricted to a few small singe marks on the wall.”
The mother of a man currently being held at the prison said she was outraged by both incidents.
“To me it is just ridiculous what goes on there,” the woman, who did not want to be named, said.
“You’ve only got to sit in the visitor area for a short time to hear what’s happening there.
“The prison is a law unto itself and it should be shut down.”
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