Inmate dead after alleged assault at Sydney prison

An inmate at a maximum security jail in Sydney has died after an alleged assault by another prisoner.

The 54-year-old man was found unconscious in his cell at Silverwater's Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre in Sydney's west at 2.15pm on Friday.

"He was taken to hospital here he died a short time later," a NSW Police spokesperson told nine.com.au.

The Metropolitan Reception and Remand Centre hold male prisoners who come directly from court on remand or are transferred from other correctional facilities in NSW for court appearances in Sydney and are waiting for a vacancy at another prison, according to Corrective Services NSW.

A crime scene was established and the man's death is now being investigated by NSW Police and Corrective Services NSW.

Shadow Minister for Corrections Guy Sangari said the death was "unacceptable" and claimed the prison system is overcrowded.

"Questions need to be asked about the level of supervision that was around this inmate when the incident occurred," Mr Zangari told the ABC.

Minister for Corrections David Elliott declined to comment about how closely the prisoners were monitored at the time of the "tragic" alleged attack.

"Prisons are bad places where bad people go," Mr Elliot said.

"This is fortunately an isolated experience," he added, also expressing his sympathies for the man’s family.

Mr Elliott said the Government would wait for the coroner to hand down its finding before making any changes to operating procedures.