THE family of a man who hanged himself in his prison cell is calling for improvements in the way the mental state of inmates is assessed.

Scott Fisher, 24, was found hanged in his cell in Durham Prison, after creating his own ligature, on June 26.

The inquest, at County Hall in Durham last week, heard how he initially entered prison on June 3 on remand, and was given a health screening to discover, among other things, if he was suicidal.

However, the screening did not reveal anything.

Now his family is urging the Prison Service to introduce stringent mental health checks for new inmates.

His family say that Mr Fisher, from Penrith, Cumbria, was suffering heroin withdrawal symptoms in prison and contact with his GP would have revealed he had been on a methadone programme for some time, even though he chose not to reveal the fact himself.

A member of the family, who did not wish to be named, said: "He was desperately trying to get off heroin.

"If had he continued his methadone programme when he went into prison on June 3, he wouldn't have got into such a low, low state."

They say he was also very depressed when he was returned to prison for a second time, which would have been revealed by a proper health assessment.

The hearing was told how Mr Fisher had been released before being sent back two weeks later because his accommodation arrangements fell through, which resulted in him breaking his bail conditions.

On his return, prison officer David Mounsey conducted an induction interview, where Mr Fisher said he did not feel suicidal.

However, within 24 hours, he was found hanging in his cell.

One of the governors at Durham Prison, Richard Phelan, told the inquest that a former cell-mate of Mr Fisher had prevented him committing suicide on an earlier occasion, but staff were not informed.

Mr Phelan said Mr Fisher's previous medical records had been used because he had been returned to the prison on the same charge.

Because the authorities already had a medical case history, a full health screening was not required.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide.