Durham Prison remand inmate found hanged
A man on remand has been found hanged in Durham Prison.
Jamie Smith had been charged with the rape of a 41-year-old woman in Carlisle in March, and was due to go on trial at Carlisle Crown Court on 6 June.
The 43-year-old, from Goodwin Way in the city, was found dead in his cell on Monday morning.
An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death will be carried out by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.
The Prison Service said in a statement: "HMP Durham prisoner Jamie Smith was found hanging in a cell at approximately 9.30am on Monday 21 May.
"He was pronounced dead at approximately 9.40am.
"As with all deaths in custody, the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct an investigation."