Inquiry launched at prison after inmate found hanging

Parema Rathnam Poonan was on remand in Holme House Prison, in Stockton, when he was found on Sunday morning.

The 33-year-old was discovered hanging in his cell at 5.40am.

It is understood a ligature was used in his death and he was not on suicide watch.

Mr Poonan had arrived at the prison on November 3, after appearing at Leeds Crown Court on October 6, over charges of harassment, obstructing a police constable and two counts of burglary.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Staff immediately attempted to resuscitate him and an ambulance was called. However, his death was confirmed by a doctor at 6.35am.

"Every death in custody is a tragedy and our sympathies are with the family and friends of Mr Poonan at this time.

"As with all deaths in custody, the prisons and probation ombudsman will conduct an investigation.''

Mr Poonan's family have been informed and an inquest is expected to be opened.

It is understood that Mr Poonan was staying in house block four when he died at the weekend.

One mother, who did not wish to be named, has a son at the jail and said there had been unrest in house block four since the incident.

However, the Home Office was unable to comment on that.

A spokeswoman for the prisons authority said she was unable to comment on hearsay that Mr Poonan had previously asked for help, claiming to be suicidal, until inquiries were completed.

In 2002, the category B prison came second, behind Durham Prison, in a league table for the number of self-inflicted deaths of inmates across the country.

Holme House recorded five suicides in a year and prison officers warned of a powder-keg atmosphere following a series of disturbances in August that year, when inmates ran amok.

However, more recent inspections have praised improvements at the prison, in particular its new self-harm and suicide prevention procedures.

Inspectors said the prison was now largely safe and well-ordered.