Family of Wolastoqey inmate who died of COVID-19 is demanding answers
CBC
The family of a 28-year-old Wolastoqey man who died from COVID-19 while an inmate of the Saint John provincial jail wants to know how he could have died while in custody.
"We want to get down to the bottom of how this happened while in the custody of the justice system. So we will be, as a nation, requesting and demanding some answers from all those involved," said Chief Ross Perley, speaking on behalf of the family of Skyler Sappier.
Sappier, a member of the Neqotkuk First Nation, formerly known as Tobique First Nation, was serving a sentence at the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre when he became ill.
Perley said family members have been told that Sappier had been ill for a few days before he was finally taken to the hospital on Saturday. He died on Sunday.
A news release from the Department of Justice and Public Safety confirms that an inmate was transported to hospital on Saturday and died on Sunday. They did not name the man or give a cause of death.
"Neither foul play nor self-harm are suspected. As per policy, the Office of the Coroner has been advised," according to the release.
A spokesperson for the department has not responded to questions about the release.
Perley said the family hasn't been told much more.
"They have received no information," Perley said. "The facility has refused to give the family any information on the events leading up to Skyler's death or information around his condition.
"All we know is that he was sick for days leading up to his death and wasn't transported to a medical facility. And his fellow inmates said that he was having a hard time breathing during this period."
Perley said they would like to see medical reports documenting Sappier's condition while in custody.
He also said "racism could have played a factor in the decisions of those in charge at the facility."
Perley said the family hasn't indicated that Sappier had any underlying conditions and he was fully-vaccinated and had a booster.
Joanne Barlow found out about Sappier's death from his sister, Leah.
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