Highlighting deaths of women prisoners
Highlighting deaths of women prisoners
by
Pauline Campbell, Cheshire
by
Pauline Campbell, Cheshire
My only child, Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, 18, died on 18 January 2003, whilst in the so-called care of HM Prison & YOI, Styal, Cheshire. She had spent six months on remand in 2002 and, on 17 January 2003, was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and returned to Styal. The following day Sarah was taken, unconscious, to a Manchester hospital, and died later that evening without regaining consciousness. I had no idea that anything was wrong until a police officer telephoned, four hours later, to say that she was dead.
This year I have organised and led a series of demonstrations, as a public protest against the disturbing increase in the number of women prisoners who have taken their own lives whilst in the 'care' of HM Prisons. I must stress that I am equally concerned about the deaths of male prisoners but as a one-woman campaigner, and entirely self-funding, there is a limit to what I can do.
On 13 April 2004, a demonstration was held outside Brockhill Prison, following the death of Sheena Kotecha, 22, clinically depressed, and beginning her first prison sentence.
The second demonstration was held outside Holloway Prison on 26 April 2004, following the death of remand prisoner Julie Hope, 35.
Deaths of women prisoners continued and, on 4 May 2004, a third demonstration took place outside New Hall Prison, - Louise Davis, 32, died in April 2004. I was arrested for breach of the peace and released without charge.
The fourth demonstration, at Send Prison, Surrey, was held on 11 May 2004. Victoria Paige Tapp, 23, a severely depressed mother of two, died, despite having been on 'suicide watch'.
On 17 May 2004, the fifth demonstration took place outside Durham Prison, as a protest against the death of Sharon Miller, 45. I was again arrested for breach of the peace and released without charge.
Each demonstration has resulted in media coverage, and has been successful in raising public awareness about the shocking death toll of women prisoners. The next demonstration will be at Holloway prison in protest at the death there of Heather Waite, who died on the same day as Sharon Miller
This year I have organised and led a series of demonstrations, as a public protest against the disturbing increase in the number of women prisoners who have taken their own lives whilst in the 'care' of HM Prisons. I must stress that I am equally concerned about the deaths of male prisoners but as a one-woman campaigner, and entirely self-funding, there is a limit to what I can do.
On 13 April 2004, a demonstration was held outside Brockhill Prison, following the death of Sheena Kotecha, 22, clinically depressed, and beginning her first prison sentence.
The second demonstration was held outside Holloway Prison on 26 April 2004, following the death of remand prisoner Julie Hope, 35.
Deaths of women prisoners continued and, on 4 May 2004, a third demonstration took place outside New Hall Prison, - Louise Davis, 32, died in April 2004. I was arrested for breach of the peace and released without charge.
The fourth demonstration, at Send Prison, Surrey, was held on 11 May 2004. Victoria Paige Tapp, 23, a severely depressed mother of two, died, despite having been on 'suicide watch'.
On 17 May 2004, the fifth demonstration took place outside Durham Prison, as a protest against the death of Sharon Miller, 45. I was again arrested for breach of the peace and released without charge.
Each demonstration has resulted in media coverage, and has been successful in raising public awareness about the shocking death toll of women prisoners. The next demonstration will be at Holloway prison in protest at the death there of Heather Waite, who died on the same day as Sharon Miller
Read more about Pauline's Campaigns
Mum's crusade to save women behind bars
Grieving mother arrested for protest outside prison
Sarah Elizabeth Campbell
Read more about women killed in British Prisons
If you want information about future demonstrations Pauline is organising or want to send Pauline a message of support e-mail us and we will pass your message onto Pauline.
Read more about women killed in British Prisons
If you want information about future demonstrations Pauline is organising or want to send Pauline a message of support e-mail us and we will pass your message onto Pauline.
On the 3rd June 2004 Pauline appeared at Higbury Magistrates Court charged with obstructing the highway during the demonstration outside Holloway Prison following the death of Heather Waite. Pauline pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned for four weeks.
Pauline (front) is pictured outside Highbury Magistrates Court with (from left to right) Gilly Munday (Inquest), Frances Crook (Howard League) and John Moore (No More Prison).