Campaigner 'never got over loss'

Pauline Campbell became a campaigner five years ago

The family of a prison campaigner who was found dead at a cemetery where her daughter is buried have said she never recovered from her loss.

Pauline Campbell, 60, originally from Whitchurch, Shropshire, was found on Thursday near her daughter Sarah's grave in Malpas, Cheshire.

She had moved to Hampton, near Malpas, 10 years ago with her daughter.

Mrs Campbell became a prison campaigner after 18-year-old Sarah died at Styal prison, Cheshire in 2003.

'Tireless campaign'

Her family said her support for other families took its toll on her emotional health.

In a statement her family said it was her reaction to Sarah's death which drove her "tireless campaign" to support the reform of conditions in women's prison and to support other parents who lost their children in similar circumstances.

"To that end she travelled the length and breadth of the country organising and attending demonstrations wherever there was a death of a woman in custody.

"She involved herself in almost every aspect of the campaign to improve conditions in women's prison generally."

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 successfully 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 health problems, had been convicted of manslaughter and jailed for two-and-a-half years.