An inquest determined a prisoner serving an “indeterminate sentence” died by suicide.

Thomas Nicol, aged 37 from Harrow, died at Watford General Hospital on September 25, 2015 after he was discovered in his cell four days prior.

Mr Nicol, who was given a minimum tariff of four years for robbery, had served six years of an “indeterminate sentences for public protection”, an inquest at Hatfield Coroner’s Court heard.

Forensic psychiatrist doctor Dinesh Maganty who gave evidence at the hearing is said to have described Mr Nicol as “high risk” the day he died, adding his IPP sentence had “contributed to Mr Nicol’s death ‘more than anything else’” – according to a press release from Hodge Jones & Allen solicitors.

Mr Nicol is said to have been recommended therapy prior to a move to The Mount prison in Bovingdon where a placement was “unavailable”.

Three days later the prisoner is said to have self-harmed before being moved to “segregation” on September 18, 2015 where he became “psychotic”.

His family said the prison “didn’t carry out a mental health assessment despite his very high risk of self-harm and suicide”.

Mr Nicol was found in his cell in the segregation unit with a ligature around his neck three days later.

He died at Watford General Hospital on September 25.

A jury returned a short form verdict of suicide.

Mr Nicol’s sister Donna said: “My brother was jailed for a minimum term of four years yet two years after he had completed his tariff he was still in jail.

“Tommy became more and more desperate, but nobody would listen to him. The prison authorities didn’t even carry out a mental health assessment despite his very high risk of self-harm and suicide.

“Tommy’s desperation led to him self-harming and losing his life and has left us mourning the loss of a much loved son, brother and uncle.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Our sympathies remain with the family and friends of Mr Nicol.

“We have now provided specialist training in suicide and self-harm prevention for over 17,000 staff and are also rolling out a new key worker scheme across the estate. This will mean every prisoner will have a dedicated member of staff to support them.”