Mystery Over Will
Campaigners wishes ignored
The following is taken from: John Tyrell Blogs
originally published 20th August 2008
I have received a message that Pauline Campbell’s will has disappeared and her wishes to benefit charity are being ignored. Her legacy deserves better than that. The news of Pauline’s death came as a shock to her friends and many who didn’t know her but were affected by her dedicated work. Pauline was fearless and at each demonstration would request that women arriving at the prison in a van should be taken to a place of safety. The police response was violent and she and her supporters were thrown to the ground on more than one occasion.
Her actions were followed by court appearances. Not only were they costly, they proved to be of no value, a complete waste of time. Pauline was honoured and took part in a number of broadcasts, in fact she was the regular speaker every time the subject of deaths in prison came up. She was invited as a speaker at a international conference on penal abolition.
Farewell Pauline
Prisons campaigner laid to rest
published: 30th May 2008
all credits: BBC News
Mourners have gathered for the funeral of a prisons campaigner who was found dead near her daughter’s grave. Pauline Campbell, 60, originally from Whitchurch, Shropshire, was found dead in Malpas, Cheshire, on 15 May.
A service was held at Saint Alkmund’s Church in Whitchurch followed by a private burial at Malpas cemetery. Her family said Mrs Campbell began a “tireless campaign” after her daughter Sarah died of a drug overdose at Styal prison, Cheshire, in 2003. Mrs Campbell spent five years highlighting the number of deaths that occurred every year in prisons and took part in many demonstrations.
‘Passionate campaigner’
Representatives from the Howard League for Penal Reform and the pressure group Inquest joined her family and friends at the funeral. In a tribute read to the service by her colleague, Sian Griffiths, Inquest co-director Deborah Coles said Mrs Campbell was a “fearless, formidable and passionate campaigner and a persistent thorn in the side of the state”.
