AN INMATE at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham died on the day that regular welfare checks on him were halved.

Luke Morris Jones, 22, was found lying on the floor of his cell on March 31, 2018, and was rushed to the Maelor Hospital, but died within an hour.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death as cardiac failure linked to his use of the zombie drug Spice.

Jones, of Penygwndwn, Manod, Blaenau Ffestiniog, was nearing the end of a four-year jail sentence for robbery imposed at Caernarfon Crown Court.

A full inquest, which is likely to be held later this year, will be before a jury and is expected to last about five days.

At a second pre-hearing in Ruthin John Gittins, coroner for North Wales (East and Central), said it would be designated as an Article 2 inquest by which the State is deemed to be responsible to protect human life.

Mr Gittins said he was aware of the Jones family’s concerns about their son’s mental health and the care and treatment he had received while in prison.

On March 26, 2018, he was placed under constant observation after having self-harmed, but on March 30 it was reduced to four times per hour.

On March 31, the day he died, it was further reduced to twice per hour.

Mr Gittins said he would not only be examining the care and treatment Jones received for his mental health and substance misuse but also what steps had subsequently been taken to tighten security and stop such drugs entering the prison and potentially causing further deaths.

Another issue to be considered at the full inquest will be the decision to scale back the level of supervision.

“Had he remained under constant supervision it would not have been possible for him to obtain the Spice,” said the coroner.

HMP Berwyn, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Jones family were all legally represented at the hearing.

The full inquest is expected to be held in November.