Mr Elliott met with prison officers at the Tamworth Correctional Centre on Tuesday morning following the death of inmate, Tane Chatfield, 22. 

He said he wasn’t able to comment on the investigation into Mr Chatfield’s death while the coroner’s inquiry was ongoing. 

“The tragic death of that inmate only recently in Tamworth highlights to us the difficult role that Corrections’ officers have and the delicate nature in which jails operate,” Mr Elliott said.

“It is right and proper for that coronial inquiry to be finished and completed, at which time if there are any recommendations from that coroner's inquiry that we need to take on board to improve the running of our operations then we will do it.”

All deaths in custody are examined by the NSW Coroner at inquest.

Fairfax Media has been told prison officers performed CPR on Mr Chatfield after he was found unresponsive in his cell on the morning of September 20. He was rushed to Tamworth hospital where he died two days later.

“I commend all Corrections’ officers for being the last line of defence,” Mr Elliott said.

“The work these guys do behind the walls of jails, and girls I should say, is quite remarkable and one the community never fully appreciates.”

Mr Elliott said he had already offered to meet with Mr Chatfield’s family. The death is not being treated as suspicious. 

"I'm happy to meet with the family if they would like too and I've already made that offer,” Mr Elliott said.

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