The family of a 31-year-old man who hanged himself at Armley Prison is considering suing the prison service.

Speaking after an inquest jury returned a verdict of misadventure into the death of Anthony Forrest, his family's solicitor, Ruth Bundey, said she could not rule out future legal action.

Yesterday, the jury sitting at Wakefield Coroner's Court was told that the Leeds prison's head of operations and security, Christopher Walker, agreed that there was a "failure in communication" to inform other staff that Mr Forrest had been previously considered at risk from harming himself as he had been issued with a 20-52 SH form.

This form was later closed - meaning he was no longer treated as a vulnerable inmate.

Mr Forrest, of Inkerman Street, Bradford, was seen by a prison doctor who pronounced him fit to go on to a normal wing.

Mr Walker added that in these circumstances, "we rely on doctors to show us what should happen to a prisoner".

Earlier, a prison governor, Lynn Saunders, who spearheaded an internal examination into Mr Forrest's death, recommended that prison bosses play closer attention to those at risk.

Miss Bundey said Mr Forrest's family welcomed the chance to hear the recommendations at the inquest.

Earlier, the inquest heard how an internal investigation was launched after the death of the unemployed tyre fitter on March 23, who had been remanded in custody to await trial on a charge of attempted murder.

After the inquest, Mr Walker said that many of the recommendations had already been implemented by the prison.

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