AN investigation has been launched after two inmates were found dead at Lewes prison in the space of 48 hours.

Neville McNair, formerly of Selsey, was found dead on June 16, the day before his 52nd birthday.

The second prisoner, 25-year-old Ricky Coombs from Crawley, was found dead two days later.

A spokesman for the prisons service said: “As with all deaths in custody there will be an independent investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.”

“Our condolences are with Mr McNair’s and Mr Coombs’ family and friends at this difficult time.”

Lewes Prison has suffered considerable unrest in the past couple of years.

Its most recent Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons report published in April found high levels of violence and use of force.

In six months there were 25 assaults on staff and 111 assaults on prisoners.

About half of the 640 men in the jail were locked up during the working day and on some units men were routinely kept in their cells for 23 hours a day.

The Howard League for Penal Reform said it also had serious concerns about sex offenders being housed in the first night centre, which should be dedicated to vulnerable new inmates.

Some prisoners were sent to the segregation unit on their first night behind bars because of a lack of space.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: “This is a prison that is struggling even to fulfil its primary purpose – to keep prisoners, staff and the public safe.

“Lewes reflects the shambles and the shame of the prison estate and the systemic challenges it faces.”

Inspectors visited the prison, which holds a significant number of young adults and men over 60, in December and January.