The number of deaths was thought to have stabilised

Figures show that 14 male inmates took their own lives last month, which so far brings this year's total to 70.

Another man, 31-year-old Mark Keeling, was found hanged at Shrewsbury Prison on 1 September.

The Home Office said that it was hard to establish a pattern because prison deaths were still comparatively rare.

The figure for the previous five months appeared to indicate that the number of "self-inflicted deaths" - not all are classified as suicides by the Prison Service - had stabilised.

'Vulnerable'

Enver Solomon, senior policy officer with the Prison Reform Trust, told BBC News Online that the rise in August is part of an upward trend.

It's vital these people are identified and monitored carefully Enver Solomon, Prison Reform Trust Prisoners 'are not just numbers'

"In 2003 there were 94 suicides and in 2002 there were 95 - a record number in recent years.

"One major reason is that a number of people going into prison have multiple mental health and drug problems. This group is particularly vulnerable to suicide.

"You have to remember that 20% of male prisoners have attempted suicide at some stage in their life," Mr Solomon said.

Six of the men who died had yet to be sentenced and most of the 14 who died were in local prisons.

Mr Solomon says this is an important factor: "Local prisons have to deal with a high turnover of prisoners going backwards and forwards to the local courts. A lot of prisoners are on remand awaiting trial and sentencing.

"It's difficult for staff to identify those prisoners that are at high risk, particularly in the first few days when they are feeling anxious and isolated. It's vital these people are identified and monitored carefully."

Staff leave

In addition to the 14, the youngest person ever to die in UK custody, 14-year-old Adam Rickwood, killed himself in August while on remand at a privately-run secure training centre in County Durham.

Adam Rickwood is the youngest person to die in custody in the UK

Mr Solomon urged caution over linking later suicides with Adam's death: "You do get copycat deaths. But Adam Rickwood died in early August and a lot of these suicides happened in the last eight days of August so there was a considerable gap."

Mr Solomon said a more likely contributory factor was that staffing levels are lower during the summer when prison officers take annual leave.