CALLS have been made for greater scrutiny of the standards of treatment in court cells after a report highlighted concerns.

Nick Hardwick, the chief inspector of prisons, published the report after an inspection of court custody facilities in Lancashire and Cumbria, which includes concerns about staff communication and cell cleanliness.

Inspectors were concerned to find that important policy changes were communicated by emails, which staff said were sometimes confusing and lacked context.

Staff also said there were delays in receiving placement orders from the Youth Justice Board, without which young people cannot be moved to custodial facilities.

The inspectors were also concerned to find there was no formal risk assessment process and the use of handcuffs was excessive. and sometimes inappropriate and staff received no safeguarding or child protection training. They also had little knowledge or awareness about mental health or substance misuse issues.

However, inspectors reported they were pleased to find that interactions between staff and detainees were courteous, there were arrangements to transport detainees to prison as soon as possible; and health care providers were available and staff knew how to access them.

Nick Hardwick said: “Detainees were generally treated with care, although the physical conditions of some cells were very poor.

“HMCTS needs to exercise greater scrutiny and oversight in monitoring standards in their buildings.

“There need to be better communications systems to ensure that staff understand policies and practices so that the conditions of detention can improve.

“Staff should be aware of basic safeguarding, child protection, mental health and substance misuse issues.”