Female prisoner remanded at Pine Grove Correctional Centre dies in Prince Albert hospital

A prisoner who was on remand at the Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. died in hospital last week.

The woman died on the night of Dec. 27after she was transported by ambulance from the facility to hospital in the city.

She was alone in acell at the prison whenshe went into medical distress. For that reason, officials say foul play is not suspected.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with this individual's friends and family," said Drew Wilby, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Corrections and Policing.

Wilby said three investigations have been launched.

"When a death occurs, three things take place: the police will do an investigation, the ministry will do an internal investigation and the coroner will investigate. And it is standard for that office to later do an inquest," said Wilby.

While the next of kin has been notified, Wilby said the ministry will not be releasing any specific details about the prisoner and the circumstances leading up to her death, including how long she had been on remand.

"I can't release any information about the individual just out of consideration for the family, as well for those investigations that are ongoing."

Wilby said a coroner's inquest could take up to six months. He says he expects the police investigation and the ministry's internal investigation will wrap up soon.