Woman aged 19 dies in prison

October 18, 2004 in Self harm/suicide

A 19-year-old woman has become the second woman in just over two
days to die in prison, writes Clare
Jerrom.

Katherine Jones, who was on remand, was found hanging in her
cell at Brockhill prison just two and a half days after Mandy
Pearson died at New Hall prison.

Following Pearson’s death last week, penal reformers
called on magistrates and crown courts to avoid sending women to
prison.

In 2003, there were 14 self-inflicted deaths of women in prisons
in England and Wales and there have been 13 deaths so far this
year.

“For two women to be found dead in just over two days
defies belief,” said Deborah Coles, co-director of campaign
group INQUEST. “This shameful and relentless death toll
exposes a crisis in women’s prisons and the numbers of women
being sent to prisons that cannot protect their right to
life.”

Next month, a BBC1 documentary looking at the deaths of women in
prison will be broadcast. The first in the series of
“Britain’s Secret Shame” will feature Pauline
Campbell, whose daughter Sarah died in Styal prison, and Kirsty
Blanksby, whose twin sister Petra died in New Hall prison last
November.