THE York family of a woman who was found hanged only hours after being jailed are planning to join a protest outside the prison where she died.

Heartbroken relatives of Rebecca Louise Turner will travel to Low Newton, Durham, tomorrow for the demonstration organised in response to her death.

The protest has been arranged by Pauline Campbell, the mother of a teenage inmate who died in a Cheshire jail last year.

Rebecca's family last week told the Evening Press how the 22-year-old drug addict was being bullied in jail by a woman she knew from outside prison.

They also claimed the mother-of-two, convicted for drug offences at York Crown Court, was prepared to serve her 27-month sentence and was planning for the future - but took her life as a "cry for help".

During tomorrow's demonstration, which is due to start at 1.30pm, banners will be displayed and flowers laid in memory of Rebecca, of Burton Stone Lane.

Rebecca's mother, Janet Wade, who lives off Hull Road, today said the first she heard about the protest was from the governor at Low Newton. Five relatives, including Mrs Wade herself, are planning to drive to Durham.

She said: "We will certainly go down and see what's happening. I don't really know very much about it - it was the governor of the prison who told me."

Mrs Wade said she hoped the prison protest would help raise awareness about vulnerable woman inmates. If the publicity helped prevent a repeat of what happened to Rebecca it would be worthwhile, she added.

Rebecca's sister, Claire Wade, 27, of Acomb, is also planning to be there.

She said her sister should have been watched more closely before she was found dead last Wednesday morning, after being sentenced on Monday for being involved with the supply of crack cocaine in York.

Rebecca's death came only days after the opening of a new reception wing at Low Newton aimed at giving vulnerable new inmates an easier introduction to prison life.

A prison service spokesman last week told the Evening Press that the death was being investigated and it would be inappropriate to speculate on what happened.

Updated: 08:43 Thursday, August 05, 2004