Protestors claim the public needs to know about prison death toll

On Tuesday,campaigners will meet at the gates of HMP New Hall, Wakefield, after the recent death of prisoner Louise Davis.

They will lay flowers in memory of the 20 women who have died in British jails since January 2003.

It is hoped it will raise public awareness about the death toll of women in jail.

Loss of freedom

Already this year, six inmates have killed themselves. In 2003, 14 women took their own lives which was a record high for the prison service.

Women who died of self-harm in UK HMP's in 2003 Jessica Adam, hanged, New Halll Petra Blanksby, hanged, New Hall Wendy Booth, hanged Durham Jayne Buck, hanged Durham Sarah Campbell, overdose, Styal Jennifer Clifford, hanged, Bullwood Hall Leanne Gidney, hanged, Brockhill Emma Levey, hanged, Downview Clare Parsons, hanged, Eastwood Park Helena Price, hanged, New Hall Sue Stevens, hanged, New Hall Julie Walsh, overdose, Styal Hayley Williams, hanged, Styal Jolene Willis, hanged, Styal

Organiser Pauline Campbell, whose daughter Sarah took an apparent overdose of antidepressants at HMP Styal, Cheshire, said the number of deaths is too high.

"Prison should be about loss of freedom, not loss of life. The government would do well to remember this, at the same time acknowledging that all prisoners are owed a legal duty of care.

"Ordinary people have no idea how many woman are dying in prisons and the unacceptable conditions they endure."

In April Mrs Campbell organised two protests, one outside HMP Brockhill, Redditch, and one outside HMP Holloway, London.

She said: "Every time a woman in prison takes her own life we will hold a protest. We will lay flowers for her and make sure the public know what is happening."