Suicide scandal

An inquest opened yesterday into the death of 18-year-old Sarah Campbell who took an overdose in Styal prison two years ago. Ms Campbell was not the only prisoner to die in Styal: six women killed themselves there in the space of one year. Of all these tragic cases, however, the death of Ms Campbell has drawn most attention because her mother, Pauline, has bravely campaigned to call the prison service to account for failing her daughter. This inquest is a victory for Pauline Campbell. It is just a pity it took the eloquent outrage of a bereaved mother to hold the prison service accountable for the suicide epidemic in our jails.

An inquest opened yesterday into the death of 18-year-old Sarah Campbell who took an overdose in Styal prison two years ago. Ms Campbell was not the only prisoner to die in Styal: six women killed themselves there in the space of one year. Of all these tragic cases, however, the death of Ms Campbell has drawn most attention because her mother, Pauline, has bravely campaigned to call the prison service to account for failing her daughter. This inquest is a victory for Pauline Campbell. It is just a pity it took the eloquent outrage of a bereaved mother to hold the prison service accountable for the suicide epidemic in our jails.