DEMONSTRATION at Durham Prison. Another woman dies.
Louise Giles, aged 20, died on 21 August 2005, whilst in the 'care' of Durham Prison.
A demonstration took place on Wednesday 31 August 2005
at 1.30 pm, during the afternoon, outside HMP Durham.
Banners were displayed, and flowers laid in memory of Louise.
Protesters halted four prison vans as they brought prisoners to the jail. Officers from Durham Constabulary were called to the prison; no arrests were made. A letter was handed in to Mr Sandy McEwan, Governor.
The demonstration was covered by 5 local radio stations; BBC TV Newcastle, and ITV Tyne Tees + local papers.
NOTES
Louise Giles is the third woman's death in prison this year.
In 2004, there were 13 deaths in women's prisons.
The demonstration will be led by Pauline Campbell, mother of Sarah Elizabeth Campbell, 18, who died in the so-called care of Styal Prison, Cheshire [2003].
In May 2004, the Home Office "ordered the Prison Service to close down the women's unit at Durham", following a critical Chief Inspector of Prisons report, but Durham Prison continues to hold women prisoners (reported in The Guardian, 28.05.04, "Grieving mother arrested for protest outside prison").
Figures refer to apparently self-inflicted deaths, England and Wales.
FURTHER INFORMATION
(1) The demonstration on 31.08.05 is the 15th prison death protest since demonstrations begain in April 2004
(Pauline Campbell has been arrested nine times).
(2) On 17.05.04, a demonstration was held at Durham Prison, following the death of Sharon Leslie Miller, 45.
(3) Two television documentaries have included footage of Pauline Campbell's arrest/handcuffing at demonstrations:
(i) BBC TV; broadcast 02.11.04: Britain's Secret Shame, Part 2: Taking Liberties [demonstration at HMP Low Newton, Co Durham re death of Rebecca Louise Turner, 22];
(ii) BBC Wales TV; broadcast 08.03.05: 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind' [demonstration at HMP New Hall, Nr Wakefield, re death of Victoria Robinson, 26].
(4) "Death at the Hands of the State", book written by Professor David Wilson, published by The Howard League for Penal Reform (2005); ISBN 090368378-4 - Chapter 2 refers to prison death demonstrations and Pauline Campbell's arrests.
(5) The Howard League for Penal Reform (the oldest penal reform charity in the UK): 1 Ardleigh Road, London, N1 4HS,
(6) INQUEST (set up in 1981) - the only non-governmental organisation that works directly with bereaved people following a death in custody: 89-93 Fonthill Road, London, N4 3JH.
Pauline Campbell (Malpas, Cheshire)24.08.05
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Posted by John at August 29, 2005 06:38 PM
Comments
I just wanted to thank Pauline for the work she is doing. Louise was very ill but the jury thought she was faking so she never got the treatment and care she so desperately wanted. I am devastated by what has happened to Louise. On behalf of Louise's family, I just wanted to say thankyou to Pauline and everyone else who attended the demonstration and laid flowers in memory of Louise on Wednesday.
I would like to get in touch with Pauline but can't find an address for her.
Posted by: robin at August 31, 2005 04:15 PM
