Prison hangings inquiry launched

The men were found in their cells at Bristol prison

Two inmates have been found hanged at Bristol Prison within days of each other.

Prison authorities started an investigation after the men were found dead in their cells at the category A prison.

One of the men was found hanging from bed sheets tied to the bars of his cell last Friday.

Nine days earlier, fellow prisoner Timothy Birch, 29, had been found dead while on remand for alleged harrassment offences.

Both deaths are being investigated by the Prison Service, and the Avon and District Coroner, Paul Forrest, has been informed.

Conditions at the Victorian jail in the Horfield area of the city have been blamed in the past for suicides there.