An Aboriginal woman has died in custody while being treated at a hospital in Melbourne's west.
Corrections Victoria said the 30-year-old was transferred from a maximum security women's prison in Deer Park, the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, to Sunshine Hospital last week.
She died at the hospital on Monday, surrounded by family.
"The death of any person in custody is a heartbreaking tragedy and the team at Corrections Victoria sends its deepest condolences to the woman's family," Corrections said in a statement.
"The Coroners Court of Victoria will formally determine the time and cause of death, in accordance with usual process."
The women at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre are being supported and a smoking ceremony is being arranged.
Corrections said it recognised that all deaths in custody impacted family, friends, victims and the broader Aboriginal community and said staff were working to ensure they are supported.
"Corrections Victoria has been providing support to the deceased woman's family to ensure culturally appropriate notification and grieving processes are followed," Corrections said.
"The Aboriginal Justice Caucus was advised, and Corrections Victoria staff continue to work closely with the Caucus and the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria."
The news of the woman's passing comes after a number of deaths in recent weeks.
On November 16, 43-year-old Glen Francis died in Queensland's Maryborough Correctional Centre with a Queensland Police Service investigation underway.
Earlier that month, a 26-year-old Aboriginal man died in the Shortland Correctional Centre near Newcastle, New South Wales, while 45-year-old Gomeroi man Stanley Russell was shot to death by NSW Police at a home in the Sydney suburb of Seven Hills.
There has been more than 470 First Nations people that have died in custody since the Royal Commission handed down its findings in 1991, the Australian Institute of Criminology reported in May.
