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Prison death protest
nlnews@archant.co.uk

http://www.islingtongazette.com/content/islington/gazette/news/story.aspx?brand=ISLGOnline&category=news&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsislg&itemid=WeED16%20Nov%202005%2013%3A18%3A23%3A107

Pauline Campbell is arrested outside Holloway Prison.
She was later released without charge as dozens of
people protested against the death of a female prisoner
there.

Pauline Campbell, whose own daughter died in prison,
was campaigning with dozens of campaigners against
the death of Karen Fletcher when she was arrested.

The 30-year-old, who had been convicted of arson, died
after apparently hanging herself in her cell. Her death was
the fourth at Holloway Prison since April 2004.

"It is believed that Karen Fletcher was recently transferred
to Holloway from Styal Prison, in Cheshire," said Ms
Campbell. "Her death again raises questions about the
legal duty of care owed to prisoners."

Ms Campbell was arrested for "alleged obstruction of the highway" when she tried to
stop a prison van entering the prison.

She was taken to Islington Police Station in Tolpuddle Street where she was held for
two and a half hours before being released without charge.

It is the 10th time Ms Campbell, who has been campaigning for better conditions in
prison since the death of her 18-year-old daughter, Sarah, at Styal Prison in 2003,
had been arrested for protesting.

"It makes me feel angry that women continue to die needlessly and that women continue
to be sent to prison needlessly," she said. "Nine out of 10 women prisoners have been
convicted of non-violent crimes and don't need to be imprisoned.

"Courts should be handing out community sentences because they are usually more
affective and cost less. "Two thirds of these women are mothers and sending mothers
to prison is cruel."

She added: "If there's another death in Holloway prison we will be back."

Ms Campbell has also raised concerns about an inmate at Holloway Prison who has been
on a life support machine since May 2004 after being cut down from a makeshift noose
at the jail.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Every death is obviously a tragedy and our sympathies
are with Karen Fletcher's family and friends. An investigation will be carried out by
the prison ombudsman

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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.

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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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