Woman inmate dies at Regina remand centre

An inmate has died at the White Birch Remand Centre for women in Regina.

It happened Thursday morning at the centre, which is located at the Paul Dojack Youth Centre.

Police are investigating, but foul play is not suspected at this time, the provincial government said in a news release.

The justice ministry will also conduct an internal investigation.

The death will also be referred to the Provincial Coroner's office for its own review. There will be a mandatory coroner's inquest.

The name of the woman was not released. A spokesman for the government said the woman's family has been notified.

Reporters were told the woman died after going into medical distress. Staff worked on her but she was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.

The White Birch Remand Centre, an 18-bed facility where accused women stay while awaiting court appearances, opened last year.

Until then, women in custody awaiting court appearances in southern Saskatchewan were kept in cells at RCMP detachments.