A HUDDERSFIELD women's death in her cell at New Hall jail exposes a crisis in women's prisons, say campaigners.

INQUEST, a campaign group offering a free legal and advice service to the families of prisoners who die in custody, said lessons had to be learned.

The group hit out after Victoria Robinson, 27, was found hanging in her cell at the Flockton jail on Wednesday night.

She was awaiting trial on charges of making threats to kill.

Last year, 13 women killed themselves in prison, says Inquest.

Three of them were at New Hall.

The organisation said Miss Robinson's death was a "stark reminder" of the number of vulnerable women who continue to die in jail.

Deborah Coles, INQUEST'S co-director, said: "This shameful death toll exposes a crisis in women's prisons and the numbers of women being sent to prisons that cannot protect their right to life.

"Only two days ago an inquest was held into the death of Helena Price in New Hall.

"INQUEST is concerned that the lessons from these deaths are not being learned.

"Because of this, women keep dying," added Ms Coles.

A Prison Service spokes- woman said: "There will be an investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, Stephen Shaw.

"Every death in custody is a tragedy and the Prison Service offers its sympathy to the family and friends of Miss Robinson," she added.