A prisoner found hanged in a cell was a "fit young man" months away from being eligible for parole when he apparently killed himself, an inquest heard.
Michael Bailey, 24, from Ladywood, Birmingham, was found hanged at HMP Rye Hill, Warwickshire, in March 2005.
The inquest in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire, heard he changed from being confident and articulate to being quiet and subdued in a few days.
He was placed on suicide watch following "strange" behaviour.
'Reasonable steps'
This included taking his clothes off in the exercise yard, reciting the Lord's Prayer and mumbling incoherently.
Tom Osborne, assistant deputy coroner for Northamptonshire, said: "Over the course of a few days... he went from being a fit young man who was looking forward to being reunited with his family to a man who had become anguished, confused and, at times, violent."
Mr Osborne told the jury that during the inquest they should consider if the prison authorities took "reasonable steps" to prevent Mr Bailey from taking his own life.
Mr Bailey was found hanged on 24 March 2005.
The inquest is expected to last up to six weeks.
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