THE family of a man who died in prison is calling for an overhaul of mental health support in Scottish jails.

Louise Park spoke out after her brother David Thomas Cameron, 40, committed suicide in Barlinnie Prison, in Riddrie, Glasgow, earlier this year.

David, whose family said he suffered from a history of depression, died from multiple injuries after falling from the third floor of Hall A of the jail on March 27.

He was given a sentence of three years and nine months after being convicted of assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger to life at the High Court in Glasgow in December 2012.

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into David's death is likely to take place next year although no formal dates have been set.

Louise, a full-time mum-of-three who lives in the West End of Glasgow, is campaigning for action to help other families who may experience what she is going through.

She said: "There's nothing more that I would want than to never hear of anything like this happening again. The thought of another family going through what me, my sister and my mum are going through is devastating.

"I know I can't give my mum what she wants. She's lost her son and no-one can give him back to her.

"It's so hard not having him here."

The 33-year-old said her brother went through a break-up with his former girlfriend 12 years ago which he failed to get over.

The trauma sent him on a downward spiral and he ended up becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Louise, a former receptionist, said: "He couldn't get back on his feet and his life just got out of control.

"He did have alcohol issues, he did take drugs at times. He had mental health issues as well, he suffered from depression."

Louise and her family are calling for suicide prevention procedures in prisons to be examined.

She said: "I know people are in prison for a reason, like David was, but I don't think enough is being done to stop suicides from happening. I don't believe their strategy is working.

"It was so out of character for David to jump."

Louise said her brother had told her that he was looking forward to getting out of prison and finding work as a music technician. He had studied music courses at a Glasgow college and had also previously trained in food and hygiene.

"I honestly thought David would come out and make his life better," she said. "Me and my mum had planned to sort out his flat and help him get sorted.

"We didn't realise he needed so much help."

Louise added "But he wasn't someone who would ever tell people how he really felt. He was always a very withdrawn person. I noticed at some of the visits he would linger at the end."

Louise also feels practical measures need to be looked at, like the introduction of safety nets where there is a risk of people falling from a height in prison.

She said: "I don't understand why there aren't safety nets in all the halls in Barlinnie. Just now there is only one in Hall C.

"David was in Hall A and he was on the top floor.

"If someone isn't thinking straight or is having a bad day then they might just do what David did."

SHE has contacted her local MSP Sandra White, who said she would write to Barlinnie Governor, Derek McGill.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) offers several education and arts-based support services to promote positive mental well-being among prisoners who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

These projects, of which many are delivered in partnership with agencies such as Phoenix Futures and Theatre Nemo, are used to work alongside the health services provided by the NHS.

Staff also follow a specially-tailored act and care model of suicide prevention.

The day care service in Barlinnie offers art and pet therapy, performance arts, charity work, counselling and physical training.

Former Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year Isabel McCue set up Briggait-based Theatre Nemo to help people with mental health issues following her son John's suicide after suffering from schizophrenia.

Isabel and her team organise performance workshops for prisoners, which aims to help them deal with issues affecting them. She said: "People can come into prison with mental health issues or develop them there.

"We absolutely need to keep raising awareness of this and looking at ways of helping people cope.

"That's what Theatre Nemo is trying to address.

"We are trying to help people build confidence so maybe they can talk about what's on their mind or speak to prison officers before it gets to the worst stage."

However, Isabel said staff at prisons "did everything they can" for prisoners' wellbeing. She added: "They work with the resources they have."

A Scottish Prison spokeswoman said: "The circumstances relating to this case are subject to an Fatal Accident Inquiry, therefore it would not be appropriate for us to comment until the outcome of that investigation."