A PRISONER hanged himself after taking an illegal drug, an inquest heard.

Anthony John Clacher was found by prison officers collapsed on a stairwell in Guy's Marsh prison on March 21 this year.

The 36-year-old, who was born in Germany, had "apparently taken the drug Spice", said coroner's officer Andrew Lord.

He was treated by prison medical staff before being taken back to his cell.

"A couple of hours later officers found the door was locked from the inside," said Mr Lord.

"They gained entry and discovered the deceased."

The death is being investigated by the police and also by the prison ombudsman, although the court heard police were satisfied there had been no third party involvement.

A pathologist gave the cause of death as hanging.

The inquest was adjourned for further information to be gathered, with a pre-inquest review scheduled for July 26 this year.

Spice is one of the names used for 'synthetic cannabinoids', sold in the UK as having similar effects to cannabis. The psychoactive substance was made an illegal Class B drug in December.