Sixty second interview with Pauline Campbell
By Amy Taylor
Pauline Campbell is the mother of Sarah Campbell, who died in Styal
women's prison in January 2003. The inquest into Sarah's death
concluded this week.
Do you think that the verdict from the inquest is
appropriate?
 | |
| Pauline Campbell | |
Yes, I think the verdict is appropriate. The jury found that
Sarah died as a result of a toxic level of anti-depressant
(Dothiepin) in her bloodstream, and that her death was
unintentional - not suicide. In other words, it was a "cry for
help" that went badly wrong. The verdict was accompanied by a
damning narrative, plus coroner's recommendations.
Do you think the inquest covered all the issues around
Sarah's death?
The inquest, held over 11 days, heard very disturbing evidence
about the callous disregard shown towards Sarah's needs as a very
vulnerable teenager. My daughter arrived at Styal on 17 January
2003, and died in Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, the following
evening. In that short period of time, she was vomiting, fitting,
and had several cardiac arrests, before being pronounced dead.
However, I am satisfied that the inquest covered all the issues
around Sarah's tragic death, which amounted to a damning catalogue
of failure.
Sarah was on the segregation unit at the time of her death
despite her being on suicide/self harm watch. What are your views
on this?
The segregation unit, ie the punishment block, was where Sarah
spent the last hours of her life, and where she collapsed, dying,
on 18 January 2003. Staff shut the door on her after she had
over-dosed, leaving her alone in the cell - ignoring the risk that
she could have choked to death on her vomit. Described as bleak,
soulless places - prisons within prisons - it was an entirely
inappropriate place to accommodate Sarah, especially as she was on
'suicide watch'.
Do you think that a "thematic review" of use of segregation
in women's prisons, which the inquest's coroner Nicholas Rheinberg
suggested, will help to prevent the inappropriate use of
segregation occurring in future?
A 'thematic review' of the use of segregation in women's prisons
might help to prevent a recurrence of such a shocking tragedy. But
it is only part of a very bleak picture, whereby prisons are being
used as dumping grounds for some of the most vulnerable women in
society. There are wider issues that need to be addressed.
The coroner also said that he will suggest to the
authorities that reports of investigations into non-natural deaths
in prison should be given to staff. Do you agree with
this?
Reports of investigations into non-natural deaths in prison,
providing they are accurate and well-written, could helpfully be
given to staff, if only to raise awareness about the very serious
issues involved when someone dies in their care.
Given that Sarah was one of six women who died at Styal
prison from August 2002 to August 2003, what do you think are the
underlying problems with sentencing guidelines and the prison
system?
There are three main problems:
(i) women are being given custodial sentences
inappropriately;
(ii) once sentenced, some women are wrongly located within the
prison system, as was the case with Sarah; and
(iii) far too many women are remanded into custody at a time when
they are legally innocent.
What changes do you think need to be made to the system to
prevent future deaths in custody and are you going to continue
campaigning to achieve them?
The three problems mentioned above, if addressed, would go a long
way towards preventing future deaths in custody. Also, it would be
helpful if the Home Secretary would take a clear and sustained
political lead to deal with the appalling situation in our jails -
particularly the crisis in women's prisons. Meanwhile, whilst
women continue to die 'at the hands of the State', I shall continue
to campaign.
Do you think that adequate changes have been made since the
deaths of the six women to ensure that women currently held at
Styal prison are safe?
One can only hope that women currently held at Styal Prison are
'safe'. It is difficult to know whether adequate changes have been
made since the deaths of the six women, but information passed to
me from current and past prisoners suggests there is still cause
for concern. The situation at Styal must be kept under review and
closely monitored over a much longer time period.