Tas prison deaths spark immediate changes

Two deaths in custody in the space of a week have sparked changes at Tasmania's prisons, including greater health services and closer monitoring of inmates.

Alleged wife killer Robin Michael, 63, died at Hobart's Risdon Prison on Monday, a week after the prison van death of 42-year-old Troy Colin Monson.

Both deaths have been reported as suicides and will be investigated by the coroner and an internal jail review.

But in the meantime, the minister responsible for prisons, Vanessa Goodwin, on Thursday said new measures have already been implemented.

"I have made clear ... that the safety of inmates and prevention of any similar incident is of the absolute highest priority," she said in a statement.

The changes include a request that staff more closely monitor inmate behaviour, and that "therapeutic services" are more readily available to prisoners.

In the cases of Michael and Monson, both men were being held on remand.

Michael was found dead in his medium security cell and Monson died while being transported from Launceston to Hobart in a prison vehicle.

Dr Goodwin said she will carefully consider the findings of the internal prison review and any recommendations handed down by the coroner to try to prevent future deaths in custody.

CHANGES AT TAS PRISONS:

* Staff be vigilant and increase inmate monitoring

* High-risk inmates be reviewed before transport

* Safety checks of all medium-security cells

* Reviews of all prisoners on suicide or self-harm register

* Ongoing support for staff and prisoners linked to deaths.

* Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.