Women's prisons campaigner dies

Pauline Campbell became a campaigner five years ago

A woman who became a prisons campaigner after her daughter's overdose in a jail has been found dead at the cemetery where her daughter is buried.

Pauline Campbell, 60, from Whitchurch, Shropshire, joined the protest group Inquest after her daughter, Sarah, 18, died at Styal prison, Cheshire in 2003.

Mrs Campbell was involved in numerous protests at prisons where women died.

It is understood she was found earlier near her daughter Sarah's grave in Malpas, Cheshire.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said a member of the public alerted police to a body at the gates of Oakhills cemetery in Malpas.

"We are investigating the circumstances," she added.

Pauline Campbell was a loving mother, a generous-hearted woman and a human being of indescribable bravery Frances Crook, Howard League for Penal Reform

Mrs Campbell spent five years highlighting the number of deaths that occurred every year in prison and took part in many demonstrations.

Sarah Campbell died of an overdose at HMP Styal in January 2003. Her mother sued the Prison Service under the Human Rights Act over her death.

The teenager, who had a history of drug abuse, self harm and mental problems, had been convicted of manslaughter and jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Along with another woman, Sarah Campbell was found guilty of killing 72-year-old Amrit Bhandari who had been harassed in the street.

The court heard how Mr Bhandari had been so frightened by the women he suffered a heart attack and died.

'Formidable campaigner'

In September 2006, the Home Office admitted it had breached the human rights of the "vulnerable" inmate and settled out of court.

Mrs Campbell said she had been arrested 15 times at vigils and demonstrations.

Most recently she was accused of obstructing a road when she led a protest rally at Styal prison following the death of 32-year-old mother Lisa Marley, from Blackpool, who was found hanged in her cell.

The Inquest group provides independent, free legal advice to bereaved families facing inquests on their loved ones.

Sarah Campbell died of an overdose of anti-depressants in January 2003

Deborah Coles, co-director of Inquest, said the investigation and inquest into Sarah's death had uncovered the "horrendous circumstances" in which she had been found.

Ms Coles said: "Borne out of her experience, Pauline became a formidable campaigner committed to exposing the injustices and inhumanity of the treatment of women in prison.

"Her death should remind everyone not just about the many unnecessary and preventable deaths of women in prison but also of the impact on the families they leave behind."

Prison Reform Trust director Juliet Lyon said she was "so sad" to hear the news of Mrs Campbell's death.

Ms Lyon said: "Pauline Campbell campaigned bravely and tirelessly to save other families from having to endure the unbearable pain of losing a child through suicide in prison.

"Her death makes me so sad. She tried so hard to make a difference."

Frances Crook, director of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said Mrs Campbell had been the "single most effective and inspiring campaigner" for the cause in recent years.

She said: "Pauline Campbell was a loving mother, a generous-hearted woman and a human being of indescribable bravery."