The mother of a young woman who lost her life while in custody at the Clarenville Correctional Centre last year has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the provincial government.

Natasha Martin says she has to be the voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. Her 27-year-old daughter Skye passed away in April of 2018. Another young woman, Samantha Piercey, passed away the following month.

Retired Superintendent Marlene Jesso conducted an investigation into four deaths in the province’s corrections system, those of Skye Martin and Samantha Piercy and the deaths of Doug Neary and Chris Sutton at HMP. Her recommendations were accepted in principal by Ministers Andrew Parsons and John Haggie.

Natasha Martin says she’s still looking for answers, but has learned there is a lack of mental health resources in the corrections system and that her daughter’s medication was cut, leading to a decline in her mental health.

While there is a monetary value attached to the statement of claim, she’s looking for action on a number of fronts that she hopes will help protect inmates in future.