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Female inmate at South West Detention Centre dies after being found unresponsive in cell

Female inmate at South West Detention Centre dies after being found unresponsive in cell

A woman who was found unresponsive in her cell at the South West Detention Centre in Windsor, Ont., has died.

The woman was found by correctional staff who performed first aid until an ambulance arrived, according to Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services spokesperson Andrew Morrison.

"The inmate was transported to hospital where she was pronounced deceased," he wrote in a statement to CBC News.

The woman's death is the first fatality at the jail since it started accepting inmates in 2014.

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The Office of the Chief Coroner will investigate the death and the ministry will also conduct an internal investigation to ensure all ministry policies were followed, Morrison said.

Windsor police were called to the jail around 9 p.m. Sunday and will also be investigating to determine whether the death was connected to criminal activity.

An autopsy is scheduled to take place Tuesday, according to police.

"This will be a methodical and properly done investigation," said Sgt. Steve Betteridge. "Any time there's a death under any circumstances it has to be properly and thoroughly investigated by all the agencies involved."

If the death wasn't a result of natural causes, Morrison said an inquest is mandatory.