Overcrowded prisons driving inmates to suicide, says police chief

So far this year, 50 prisoners have taken their own lives, compared to 67 in the whole of last year.

Anne Owers said that the recent overcrowding crisis had seen newly-convicted prisoners housed in police and courthouse cells, where they do not have access to the support proper jails offer at their time of greatest vulnerability.

In his first interview since becoming Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor, Jack Straw also addressed the issue of overcrowding by calling for a 'national conversation' on the use of jail terms.

He strongly hinted that he would be in favour of judges and magistrates handing down more non-custodial sentences as an alternative to prison terms in some cases.

Mr Straw told The Times: 'The crucial thing here is how we improve everyone's trust in non-custodial sentences. I want to work not only with magistrates and judges, but with others as well as the public.'

He added that 'the interests of victims and communities' were of prime importance.

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Straw said he wants to initiate a debate on the use of non-custodial sentences, such as community orders, because of the strain on prisons.

He also wants judges and magistrates to make greater use of powers given to them allowing them to fine offenders, adding an investigation is underway to look into why instances of courts fining criminals have fallen.

He would not be drawn on whether the recent early release scheme - in which some prisoners serving between four weeks and four years are released 18 days early - is here to stay. 'I can't say whether it will be a permanent feature,' he said.

The first prisoners were released under the Government's early release scheme on June 29, the idea being it will help reduce the pressure on the creaking prison system.

But Mr Straw fears the controversial initiative is not a long-term answer amid worries another surge in prison numbers could lead to a places crisis in the autumn.

Despite his comments, Mr Straw is expected shortly to announce 500 new prison places are to be found in existing jails, while two new jails will be built in Maghull, Mersyside, and Belmarsh, southeast London.

The prison population has been rising massively and last month hit a record high of more than 81,000 - leading to the decision to implement the early release scheme.

Prisoners have also been housed in police stations - at great expense - to make up for the lack of prison beds available.

There were only around 61,500 prisoners languishing in jails in England and Wales when Labour came to power in 1997, while the prison population has doubled in the past 30 years.

The new Justice Secretary's comments come after his predecessor, Lord Falconer, similarly admitted simply building more jails was not the answer to solving the UK's chronic prison crisis.