More medical staff at Regina remand centre after review into 2015 death
A mother hopes changes brought about by her daughter's death at the White Birch Female Remand Unit will help others.
Sherri Chartrand's daughter, Breanna Kannick, died after going into medical distress at the remand centre in August 2015. The 21-year-old had been arrested for failing to appear in court on drug possession charges.
The Ministry of Justice launched an internal review following Kannick's death, which has already led to some changes at the centre.
"We've invested in additional nursing staff as well as a contract with a doctor to visit the facility regularly and to be there when we need him," said Drew Wilby, executive director of corporate affairs with the ministry.
More nurses, doctor contracted
Chartrand has said she believes her daughter's death was caused by the young woman going through withdrawal from cocaine and heroin.
She said she believes the guards are responsible for her daughter's death.
"I would not want to see another family go through what my family went through," Chartrand, who lives in The Pas, Man., said.
The nurses now work on two eight-hour shifts. The nursing manager, who works out of the Regina Provincial Correctional Centre, will also now be required to make routine visits to the remand centre and check on the care of the inmates.
The price tag for the changes is roughly $400,000.
Wilby said with a coroner's inquest yet to happen, the ministry is unable to release some of the findings of its review. All information has been given to the coroner.
"Having looked at the internal report that we've done, in looking at some of the changes made, I think we've strengthened our operations," Wilby said.
"It seemed to take them way too long to get this done," Chartrand said after hearing about the changes to the Regina facility.
While no date has been set for the inquest, Chartrand said she hopes to finally get some answers when it takes place.
"I want to know why."
The inquest is expected sometime early next year.
