SA MPs urged to back spit hood ban

The family of a man who died during an altercation with prison guards in Adelaide has urged the South Australian parliament to pass legislation to ban the use of spit hoods.

The legislation is expected to be put to a vote on Wednesday, with relatives of Wayne "Fella" Morrison urging MPs to back the ban "so no other person or family has to experience this injustice and heartbreak".

"Spit hoods continue to be lawful despite the risk to the safety and lives of people subjected to them," Mr Morrison's family said in a statement.

"Despite human rights bodies and health research recommending against their use, and in favour of safer and readily available alternatives, such as personal protective equipment."

Spit hoods are used in custody situations to prevent people being bitten or spit on.

But they have also been criticised for breaching human rights guidelines with opponents describing them as primitive, cruel and degrading.

Mr Morrison died in 2016 after being restrained with handcuffs, ankle cuffs and a spit hood and put facedown in a prison van at Yatala Prison in Adelaide's north.

The inquest into his death previously heard he was in custody on assault charges and was being taken for a court appearance by video link when he became involved in a scuffle with officers.

The 29-year-old was lifted into the prison van but was blue and unresponsive when he was pulled out a few minutes later.

Despite resuscitation attempts, he did not regain consciousness and died in hospital several days later.

An inquest into his death is set to resume for final submissions next week.