HMP Hewell has been named and shamed as the worst prison in the West Midlands for its suicide rate behind bars.

Figures revealed last week show nine people took their own lives in prisons in the West Midlands during 2015 as the suicide rate remained at an alarmingly high level.

They were among a total of 18 people who died in the region’s prisons last year, according to data published by the Ministry of Justice.

Three people took their own lives in the troubled Tardebigge prison.

Deaths by suicide were also recorded in Birmingham, Brinsford, Dovegate, Long Lartin, Stoke Heath and Swinfen Hall prisons.

Across England and Wales, deaths by suicide have risen by 46 per cent in the last three years, at a time when prisons have struggled to cope with growing numbers of prisoners, chronic overcrowding and deep staff cuts.

A further eight prisoners were killed in apparent homicides during 2015 – the highest number in a single year since current recording practices began in 1978.

Frances Crook, from the charity Howard League for Penal Reform working for safer communities and fewer people in prison, said: “No one should be so desperate while in the care of the state that they take their own life.

“The numbers hide the true extent of misery for prisoners and families – and for staff, who have been given the impossible task of keeping people safe in overcrowded prisons starved of resources.

“The question now for the Ministry of Justice is: what to do? This level of deaths, violence and anguish in prisons cannot continue to rise in a civilised society.

“We cannot go on cramming more people into jails without any thought for the consequences.”

Last year HMP Hewell was criticised for a number of failings by prison and healthcare staff which contributed to the suicide of a father-of-five Paul Coley,

The 44-year-old died after being found hanging in his cell while serving a sentence for a minor theft offence.

Despite being known to have a long history of mental health problems, including a personality disorder, and a history of self-harm which including several suicide attempts, an inquest found he was let down by inadequate and inconsistent risk assessments.

The prison was also slammed for drug taking, violent behaviour which included attacks on staff, and violence between prisoners, according to an Independent Monitoring Board report into the prison, compiled by volunteers appointed by the Ministry of Justice to keep a close eye on all aspects of prison life.

Prisons Minister Andrew Selous admitted that the figures illustrate the problems currently facing the prison service and that reform is needed badly.

“Tackling violence and drugs must be our first priority," he said.

"That is why we are introducing new measures like better detection so we can help ensure prisons become places of decency, hope and rehabilitation."

He added: "We take our duty of care to prisoners extremely seriously. Staff provide support to prisoners at risk of self-harm and suicide every day, and work closely with health providers to ensure that prisoners receive appropriate healthcare.

"All deaths in custody are fully investigated by the independent Prisons and Probation Ombudsman and subject to a coroner's inquest."