The family of a man who died in prison early yesterday morning has called for an investigation following claims that his cries for help went unanswered by prison guards.

Steven Mansfield (Pepe) Dill, 41, is believed to have died from a fatal asthma attack at the Prison Farm in Ferry Reach. He was nearing the end of his sentence and was on day release as he prepared to be released in February.

Last night his devastated brother Troy Raymond Rawlings said the family would not rest until they received answers about why Mr. Dill had died.

He said inmates at the farm had told him that his brother had returned back to the prison from work at about 6 p.m. on Monday and had complained several times that his asthma pump, which he relied on to breathe, was not working properly.

But Mr. Rawlings said his calls for help were not answered, and he died soon after midnight yesterday.

Mr. Rawlings said: “I spoke to a guy (an inmate) at the prison this morning and he said he was with my brother when he first started to complain to the guards.

“They knew my brother had asthma real bad. He had needed to go to hospital before to go on the machine, but it seems that nobody did anything.

“The inmates were saying that Steven could not breathe, and that his - and their - calls for help were ignored until it was too late. They simply left him alone. If they did act, it was far too late.

“My brother was looking forward to coming out and being with his family again. He could have been saved, but they left him to die.

“We want answers and we will not rest until we get them. My brother should still be alive now.”

Mr. Dill, who had a 13-year-old son Jahlario to his long-term love Lee-Ann Samuels, who he lived with in Dundonald Street, Pembroke, had been jailed almost two years ago for possession of drugs.

But his best friend, who did not wish to be named, said he had cleaned up his act and was looking forward to coming home.

He said: “I last saw Steven on Fri“I saw him on Friday and he seemed really good. He was happy and looking forward to getting out.

“I encouraged him about the things he needed to do and he realised he had to do the right things by his lady and his son.

“We had grown up together from children and were very close. I can't believe this happened to him. I believe he should not have died.

“The prison must have known he had asthma real bad. I think the family deserves answers.”

And Mr. Dill's mother Elizabeth Astwood, of Parliament Street, Pembroke, said she last saw her son on Friday morning when he popped in to see her while on day release.

She said: “He was a well-known guy and a well-liked guy. He was kind-hearted, there was nothing he would not do for anybody. He didn't bother anybody.

“Inmates have said he told guards he was not well and that he needed to go to the hospital, but it doesn't look like anything was done. It should not rest here. What has happened to my son is very nasty and we want to know what happened.”

The Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety last night said an inquiry was underway to find out how and why Mr. Dill had died.

A statement said: “The cause of his passing has yet to be determined. An in-depth investigation is being conducted by the Police for the Coroner's office. The Coroner will then determine whether an inquest into the death will become necessary.

“Meanwhile, the Minister (Terry Lister) and officers of the Prisons Department have visited with the family of the inmate and have offered their support and condolences during this most distressing period.”

And a Police spokesman said last night: “We can confirm there is an investigation into the death of Steven Dill.

“This investigation is at the behest of the Coroner, at the end of which he will make a decision as to whether a public inquest will be held.

“We are working in conjunction with the Prison Service in conducting this investigation.”