A PRISONER was found dead at a jail hit by strike action.
The inmate died at Acklington Prison in Northumberland.
A Prison Service spokesman said: ''HMP Acklington prisoner William Stuart Laidlaw, 39, was found hanging from a ligature in his cell this morning at 9.30am.
"A doctor attended but Mr Laidlaw was pronounced dead at 9.50am. Every death in custody is a tragedy, and our sympathies are with the family of Mr Laidlaw at this time.
"As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."
Laidlaw was convicted of aggravated burglary and sentenced to four-and-a-half years. He had previously been released on licence but was returned to prison for breach of licence conditions on July 7. He was due for release on March 26, 2009.
The announcement of Mr Laidlaw's death came as the Ministry of Justice obtained an injunction preventing the POA from inducing, authorising or supporting any form of industrial action which would disrupt the operation of the Prison Service in England and Wales.
A spokesman said: "We expect prison officers to return to work with immediate effect."
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