THE lack of an effective system to identify prisoners at risk of suicide contributed to the death of a remand inmate, an inquest jury ruled last Friday.

The jury found there were failings in the documentation dealing with people at risk and raised serious concerns.

The findings, following a three-day inquest in Chester-le-Street into the death of Terry Gaskell, 33, prompted north Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle to evoke special powers to write to the prison service calling for improvements.

The jury decided that Mr Gaskell, who was found hanged in his cell after being taken off suicide watch, had taken his own life.

Mr Gaskell had been charged with the attempted murder of his girlfriend at her home in Low Fell, Gateshead, in June 2002.

Before he was arrested, Mr Gaskell of Wigan, Greater Manchester, had tried to commit suicide.

When he was taken to Durham Prison, the health care unit discharged him onto the wing with instruction that he should be kept in a communal cell at all times and should remain on suicide watch for at least a month.

Despite this, his suicide watch was discontinued after only four days by a senior prison officer and psychiatric nurse after Mr Gaskell received news of his girlfriend's pregnancy.

Solicitor Fiona Borrill, reading a statement on behalf of Mr Gaskell's mother Nellie said: "Terry Gaskell, as has been heard through three days of evidence, was a respected, polite, hard working young man, who loved and cared for his family.

"His family have been devastated by his death, but are pleased that the circumstances which led to his death have been thoroughly examined by the jury.

"The failings within the prison system cause the family considerable concern and the family hopes that these are addressed by the prison service."

Clair Budd, a governor at Durham Prison, said: "The verdict has said a great deal of things about policy and practice and we have to go away and reflect on that."