Further update on Pauline Campbell
I couldn’t get the time off work to attend the pre-trial review at Macclesfield magistrates’ court today with Pauline. Unfortunately, the CPS are still arguing that this prosecution is in the public interest. Therefore there will be a 3-day criminal trial at Knutsford Crown Court, Wednesday 30 July 2008-Friday 1 August 2008.
Words actually fail me that the CPS are prepared to carry on with this prosecution. It smacks of vindictiveness and is utterly unjust.
If you want to question the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service and how pursuing this case is deemed in the public interest then write to:
CPS (Crewe)
Crewe Police Station
3rd Floor
Civic Centre
Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 2DQ
There was an excellent letter in last week’s Observer written by bereaved families’ (including Pauline) regarding the the deaths of their daughters in prison.
The Observer letter says it all very suscinctly. I will write to the CPS about this waste of money and time - don’t know if I will be allowed to poat their reply here - thats if I get one!!
Comment by Pete Brown — 10 April, 2008 @ 5:57 pm
Thanks Pete. Yeah, please feel free to post the reply or just send it to me in an email or to the office email and we will post it.
Cheers
Louise
Comment by Louise — 10 April, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
This is certainly a disgraceful state of affairs.I have already sent a letter to CPS and did so recorded delivery to be sure they received it even if they don’t condescend to reply. They have still not made clear HOW this prosecution can be said to be in the public interest the isue is being somewhat sidestepped; they have fixed a trial date while knowing Pauline’s legal aid position is unclear and statement from 13 witnesses contained factual innacuricies and outrageous comments regarding Pauline herself. There are issues around Pauline’s health and should she suffers illness of any kind as a result of this prosecution moral responsibility will clearly rest with the CPS.
I wonder what ever happened to the idea of justice being seen to be done? What is being seen to be done here is a spiteful and unethical abuse of state power motivates by a wish to silence a brave and dedicated person who is asking questions that are sending waves of discomfort along the coridoors of power.There is, as pauline has rightly pointed out an undercurrent of vindictiveness running through this entire series of events, in his defense speech we are told that Socrates remarked that the courts of his day were not for those who need enlightement.
Light on a credible notion of justice is badly needed by the CPS in this case and in in the shaky functioning of the Criminal Jusice system itself. I am active supporting prisoners following an incident with the local police in Brighton that revealed all the more how rotten and corrupt the system is. Only yesterday a gentleman in prison that I’m in contact commented to me that “British Justice stinks doesn’t it George?” and this is not, as some would say, “sour grapes” it is nothing less tha verifiable fact as paulines case clearly demonstrates
Comment by George Coombs — 11 April, 2008 @ 7:23 pm
It just baffles me that there’s is very little justice in the British
justice system. The system seems disfunctional and the more I learn about
it, the little sense it makes. Where is the public interest when it is
only sucking innocent lives and tax payer’s money??
Comment by Neha, Tokyo — 12 April, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Is it of any real suprise that the CPS and the Government want there pound of flesh from Pauline, here is a parent, mother of a child allowed to die whilst in the hands of the state and i now feel as if its there time to pay Pauline back for all the adverse press…
My son was lucky to get out alive from Youth Offending Units, he was beaten by guards and drugged to keep him quiet, they said his fractured arms, cut head, swollen wrists and black eyes were self inflicted..
Is it any wonder they die in jail or come out worse than when they went in
Shame on the CPS and shame on the Government for allowing this to happen
Comment by Sean Doyle — 12 April, 2008 @ 8:45 am
I produce a radio show on Resonance FM104.4 called Indy Global Reports.
In January 2008 I interviewed Pauline Campbell at the offices of the Howard league for Penal Reform, where she is a trustee.
She spoke about the death of Jamie Pearce, who died in HMP Holloway in December 2007 and about the critical findings at the inquest for the death of her daughter Sarah Campbell who died whilst under the care of Styal Prison in 2003.
Pauline’s dedication and determination to highlight the crisis in British prisons should be rewarded rather than punished.
That Pauline is forced to take direct action to high-light the problems of the British penal system, shows we have a national crisis within our gaols that is being ignored. Seven deaths of female prisoners and many more deaths in mens’ prisons shows that some thing has to be done urgently.
I attended a demonstration led by Pauline Campbell outside HMP Holloway in January 2008 in memory of Jamie Pearce, there I met a number of people whose relatives have died in British prisons and was shocked and saddened by their stories.
You can listen to some of their stories in this audio report at the website address on this post,the report was originally broadcast in January 2008.
As to the CPS prosecuting Pauline Campbell, as an individual I ask the CPS to please think again and look instead at the serious issues she seeks to raise and take action to prevent more deaths in prison.
Comment by Pennie Quinton — 12 April, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Here is the audio report from the demonstration out side HMP Holloway in memory of Jamie Pearce http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/03/394195.html
Comment by Pennie Quinton — 12 April, 2008 @ 11:00 am
There’s a strange taboo about suicide in the UK and a reluctance of those “in authority to deal with the issues raised by Pauline Campbell in a rational manner.
They want to get rid of the problem by getting rid of Pauline.
Dr Richard Weisler, a psychiatrist from University of North Carolina, examined cancer deaths clustered around an asphalt plant and then observed a similar cluster of suicides.
In a different location in North Carolina, he mapped a second cluster of suicides around a paper mill that only started after the paper mill began to burn waste residues instead of discharging into a river. He deduced that many suicides are triggered by exposure to airborne chemicals that enhance the stresses that a person is under and being in custody is a major stressor as anyone who has been there will tell you.
Here in Shrewsbury, a 22-year-old women was arrested by police and “released without charge” last Sunday and that night jumped into the River Severn from the bridge near the police station and her body was recovered in Tuesday.
All suicides need examination and the Pauline Campbell witch-hunt should cease. There must be at least one MP or MEP that wants the truth to come out & that person or those persons should speak out.
Kind regards,
Michael Ryan,
Shrewsbury
Comment by Michael Ryan — 12 April, 2008 @ 1:36 pm
Have written to CPS about this disgusting situation. Because of all I have been thro’ nothing surprises me in this system and that is all the more reason to highlight the terrible wrong being inflicted on Pauline.
Comment by Sue May — 12 April, 2008 @ 1:55 pm
I just want to leave another comment if I may to back up what Michael Ryan has said,being in custody is a major stress experience and I made a serious attempt on my life that was linked to bullying by certain police from Brighton, I was so sorry to read about the lady you mention Michael and am however not surprised when i hear of this as i have done before. Yes, the appalling and vindictive witch hunt Pauline is being subjected to is a disgrace and fuelling a good deal of anger and disillusonment with the justice system which relevant persons in relevant authority would be unwise to disregard
Comment by George Coombs — 12 April, 2008 @ 10:43 pm
pauline is not going to go away as the CPS,police and the prison service would like.pauline is here for the duration.take it from me and all the families who have lost a loved one in prison.to have the prison authorities knocking your door at 9oclock at night to tell you your daughter has taken her own life in a prison cell is undescribable,horrendous.pauline protests strongly about these prison deaths and the CPS say its in the public interest to prosecute,3 day trial,george coombs sums it up, a witch hunt.this is court case 2 will they go for 3 on a not guilty verdict,probably yes given the stupidity of the CPS.KEEP WELL EVERY ONE….alan powell father of Caroline who died in eastwood park prison.
Comment by alan powell — 13 April, 2008 @ 12:49 am
I am grateful to Pauline Campbell for acting to safeguard the lives of women incarcerated. Pauline Campbell is to be applauded, not punished. If I were not so far away I would stand alongside Ms. Campbell in each and every one of her demonstrations. I write this from the U.S.A. with strong support and gratitude for Ms. Campbell.
- Rosalind Burbank Joseph
www.StopPrisonAbuse.org
StopPrisonAbuse@gmail.com
Comment by Rosalind Burbank Joseph — 13 April, 2008 @ 3:01 am
Like most people with an ounce of compassion I feel that it is outrageous as to the way that Pauline Campbell is being treated by the legal system and authorities. Their utter contempt for a grieving mother is diabolical. My main concern is not so much that by taking Pauline to court it is a waste of time and taxpayers money but more in the callous way that she is being persecuted. Not only have the State robbed Pauline of her only child they now want to prosecute and punish her for complaining and protesting about her loss!
I would suggest that supporters of Pauline’s write to the Attorney General and make their views known as to the injustice being meted out to Pauline. After all it was only a few years ago when Lord Goldsmith held the office of Attorney General that he dismissed a big case claiming that it was not in the public interst to proceed!!!
John McGranaghan
Comment by John McGranaghan — 13 April, 2008 @ 12:57 pm
Like others who have commented here I am appalled the CPS intend to go ahead with this case. I have known Pauline for some years now and spent time with her on demonstrations. She is a remarkable woman who has campaigned tirelessly to give voice to these forgotten women. She has continued to protest despite her own grief, health problems and relentless bullying at the hands of the state.
I have been just a few feet away as a prison van drove directly and deliberately at Pauline. I’ve seen her dragged along the ground with unnecessary force by police officers. And through all this she has continued to fight for others in Sarah’s name without ever thinking of herself or her own well being. Her strength is inspirational and I am certain that whatever these bullies do to Pauline she will not be stopped. But I do have grave concerns for her health and well being because she has been pushed to the limit time and again with these ridiculous charges and court appearances.
Please do all you can to support Pauline’s campaign - attend demos to show your support and write to the CPS about this ridiculous waste of public money. Perhaps if enough people show they are aware of this unbelievable situation they might just see sense.
See my article for The Guardian Arts Blog
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/theatre/2006/11/acts_of_rehabilitation.html
Comment by Dr. Emilia di Girolamo — 16 April, 2008 @ 11:00 am
Its just puzzling me that the Britishers have got very little justice. There is no functional in this system and that one gets very confused with it. It makes very little sense. They don’t have any public interest and only have interest in money.
Comment by Alex — 16 April, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
If I could just say again that everyone involved in supporting Pauline should email and write - both if you can- to the Attorney General making their views known re the injustice. Don’t leave it to the last moment!Keep the flame alight!
Comment by john mcgranaghan — 23 April, 2008 @ 10:20 pm
To all who have supported Pauline over the last five years and in particular during these last few most difficult months, it is with great sadness that I am posting this. Press are now reporting that Pauline died last night. Police are not yet releasing further details though her close friends and supporters are aware of the circumstances. Pauline was found close to Sarah’s grave. Please see http://www.24dash.com/news/Communities/2008-05-15-Prisons-campaigner-Pauline-Campbell-found-dead-beside-daughters-grave
for further information.
I speak as a firm supporter of Pauline’s campaign but also as a friend when I say how much she will be missed. If it wasn’t for her many women would have died silently in prison without their names ever being heard again. Pauline was the most remarkable woman I have ever had the privilege to know and she will be missed by the many friends and supporters whose lives she touched.
The phone call I received early this morning telling me this news has left me in a deep sense of shock. I hold tight to the thought that Pauline wanted to be with Sarah and at last she is at peace.
Comment by Dr. Emilia di Girolamo — 15 May, 2008 @ 2:59 pm
Apologies for posting this here, but if any member could place this appropriately, I would be grateful. Greg Wright has an execution date of Sept. 9th in Texas, and desperately needs our support.
See/listen to the international video appeal here:
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid271557064?bctid=1549584143
Sign the petition here:
http://www.petitionthem.com/?sect=detail&pet=1980
Please spread the word.
Comment by peter — 17 May, 2008 @ 7:50 am