SASKATOON – An inquest into the death of Kinew James has been delays. Jurors had been selected for the public inquest that was scheduled to start Monday, but instead of hearing about how the inmate spent her final days, court was adjourned after lengthy arguments regarding the scope of the inquest.
The Elizabeth Fry Society, which was granted standing a little over two weeks ago, says unless the scope expands to when James first entered the system it would be of no assistance in preventing another death since they want to see if James experienced any systemic discrimination as an indigenous woman with mental health issues.
“The correctional investigator has already determined that this was another one of the preventable death in a whole string of preventable deaths,” said Kim Pate, the national director of the Elizabeth Fry Society.
“We want that information to be clearly before the jury so they can make good recommendations that they feel good about, that we can all feel good about, that can maybe try and help prevent future deaths.”
READ MORE: Elizabeth Fry Society granted standing at Kinew James inquest
According to a board of investigation report into her death, James had a medical history of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
There were six occasions leading up to her death where her insulin was not administered and five distress calls came from her cell the night she died in 2013 at Saskatoon’s Regional Psychiatric Centre.