Prisons in Kent recorded a fifth of all inmate deaths in the south east last year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Justice.

There were a total of nine deaths in the county's prisons in 2015, three of which were suicides.

In total, 45 people died while locked-up - including 18 suicides - in the South East region's 21 prisons.

The largest number of deaths occurred at HMP Swaleside and HMP Elmley, both on the Isle of Sheppey, which each had three inmates die.

One of the fatalities recorded at Category B Swaleside was suicide.

At HMP Cookham Wood in Rochester, one young offender passed away while serving time.

Maidstone and Rochester Prisons recorded one self-inflicted death each last year.

According to the Howard League for Penal Reform, deaths by suicide in prisons have risen by 46% across England and Wales in the last three years.

The charity also revealed a further eight prisoners were killed in apparent murders during 2015 – the highest number in a single year since current recording practices began in 1978.

Analysis of cases reported to the Howard League last year also reportedly suggests that people who are held in prison on remand, or have been recalled to prison while on licence, are disproportionately likely to take their own lives.

“No one should be so desperate whilst they are in the care of the state that they take their own life" - Frances Crook

About 40% of prisoners who died by suicide in 2015 were on remand at the time of their deaths, even though these people comprise just 15% of the prison population at any one time.

About 14% of prisoners who died by suicide in 2015 were in prison due to a licence recall. Recalled prisoners account for 7% of the prison population.

The Howard League’s chief executive, Frances Crook, said: "No one should be so desperate whilst they are 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."

The charity and the Centre for Mental Health, supported by The Monument Trust, are working together on a joint programme on preventing people from dying by suicide in prison.