People held in court cells should be treated at all times with humanity and respect.

Tim Colbourne Report author

A report by it said cold and dirty cells in courts and long hours spent in prison vans, nicknamed "sweat-boxes", were problematic.

The report's author, Tim Colbourne, said: "There were 376 incidents of self-harm in court cells and prison escort vehicles in the last year, including many attempted hangings.

"This is likely to be the tip of the iceberg, because men, women and children who are traumatised by their experiences at court carry their stress and anxiety with them into prison."

Independent review

The Howard League wants the Prison Service to take responsibility for conditions in court cells and improve standards.

The report also demands an independent review of prisoner escort services, which were privatised in 1993.

The current system means prisoners are often housed in police stations overnight, the charity said.

There have been eight suicides in court cells since the contracting out of the escorting service, the report said.

One inmate who was interviewed said he would rather serve an extra five years on top of a 20-year sentence if he could avoid travelling in prison vans.

Predominantly unconvicted

Mr Colbourne added: "[We found] 28% of suicides take place within a week of reception to prison.

"People held in court cells are predominantly unconvicted or unsentenced.

"They should be treated at all times with humanity and respect.

"They should not be kept in holding cells or prison vans for prolonged periods, and must be given information about what is going to happen to them."

The report also said welfare workers should be employed at larger courts to help prisoners and there should also be better information about prison for people held in court cells.