How many more must die before action is taken?

Deborah Coles Inquest

The 16-year-old was serving six months for robbery and assault with intent.

Inquest co-director, Deborah Coles, said the advice and campaigning group, which works with the families of those who die in custody, was "appalled".

She added that the deaths were "a damning indictment of the way in which young offenders are dealt with by the criminal justice system".

"They also highlight how dangerous and inappropriate it is to send so many young people to prison with neither the resources nor the facilities to care for them," Ms Coles continued.

"How many more must die before action is taken?" she asked.

But the Prison Service argues that there has been a great deal of progress made to reduce the number of suicides.

Feltham was the subject of a damning report by Sir David Ramsbotham

Jacobs' death was the first apparent suicide at Feltham this year.

But the institution was recently the subject of a damning report by the former chief inspector of prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham.

There will be an investigation by the Prison Service and, for the first time for a death in custody, the Youth Justice Board.

Mr Cortezo-Malone's death was the second apparent suicide at Brinsford in the past year.

The Home Office said there would be an internal investigation into the incident by the Prison Service.