Aboriginal man, 40, dies in custody after collapsing at WA prison

A 40-year-old Aboriginal man has died after collapsing at Acacia Prison in Western Australia, but authorities say his death does not appear to be suspicious.

The Department of Justice has confirmed an Aboriginal man has died at a Perth prison. Source: Supplied

A 40-year-old Aboriginal man has died after collapsing at a prison in Western Australia.

The Acacia Prison inmate was found on Friday but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at hospital, the state's Department of Justice said in a statement on Saturday.

Police say there does not appear to be anything suspicious, but they are investigating and there will be an inquest given it is a death in custody.

The Department of Justice will also conduct an internal review.

It is the first Aboriginal death in custody recorded in Western Australia this year.

Acacia Prison is privately-run by Serco Australia.

The news of the death came as thousands of Australians took part in Black Lives Matter protests across the country, despite warnings from the prime minister and other health officials not to attend due to the risk of spreading coronavirus.

The rallies were held in solidarity with the US protests over the death of George Floyd, who died while being arrested in Minneapolis, and aim to draw attention to the number of Aboriginal people who have died in custody in Australia.

There have been at least 434 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the royal commission into the issue ended in 1991.