A 19-year-old inmate at Lancaster Farms was found hanged in his cell last Friday morning. Robert Lee Markham, who was serving 21 months for taking and driving away a vehicle was found hanged from the cell bars by his shoe laces. Police are not questioning anybody else about the incident which looks like suicide - if it is it wil be the first case of its kind in the young offenders institute since it opened three years ago. The single cell inmate, originally from Blackburn, was not believed to be a suicide risk case. Now, an investigation is under way to find out what provoked his death. A spokesman for the Prison Service said: "It is a tragedy for both Lancaster Farms and the family. It is obviously something we regret and wish that it had not happened after Lancaster Farms has built up a good record. But the real tragedy is that he was not thought to be a suicide risk." The death comes after a recent report by the Board of Visitors claimed the institution had a problem with mental health care among inmates. It also said the institution faced a daily struggle to find places for the increasing numbers of inmates, many experienced staff had left, inmates with health problems were not being treated and some prisoners faced months awaiting trial.

Hugh Roberts, of the Board of Visitors, said he was unable to make a comment at the moment. The north Lancashire Coroner, George Howson opened and adjourned the inquest on Wednesday.

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