The Prisoner Ombudsman has begun inquiries into two unrelated deaths at the Hydebank prison complex in south Belfast.
Samuel Carson (19), who was awaiting trial, was found dead in his cell at the young offenders’ centre yesterday evening.
A few hours later Frances McKeown (23), who was due to be sentenced after she had admitted to crimes of hijacking, possession of a weapon and criminal damage, was found dead at the women’s section of the prison.
Ligatures were found in both cells.
Colin McConnell, director-general of the North’s Prison Service, said officers were striving to protect all in custody but could not guarantee that these deaths would definitely be the last.
“Staff across the prison and across the service are devastated by both these deaths,” he said.
“I also want to recognise the efforts made by the staff who were on duty at the time, who did everything they could to bring about a different outcome. I look forward to the Prisoner Ombudsman’s full and independent report in due course.”
Sinn Féin’s Carál Ní Chuilín said: “Every death through suicide in custody is an indictment on the system.
For the SDLP, Conall McDevitt said: “These very serious circumstances show a serious crisis with the Prison Service and management of that facility.
The Committee on the Administration of Justice said not enough was being done by prison authorities to protect the vulnerable.