'Mother on a mission' demands inquiry into daughter's death in jail

The mother of an inmate who died at the Clarenville women's prison in Mayis calling for a public inquiry into the deaths of her daughter and another female inmate this spring.

Lisa Pierceymade the comment at aprotestWednesday afternoon outside the Sir Richard Squires Building in Corner Brook home to government offices and the courts.

There were15 to 20 people at the event, including friends and family ofPiercey, as well as staff of the Status of Women Council.

An independent investigation wasannounced by the Newfoundland and Labrador government after the death ofSamantha Piercey, 28, on May 26and Skye Martin, 27, who died at the same prison April 21.

But Pierceydoesn't expect that to provide the answers she promised her daughter in saying goodbye.

"My words to her were 'Mommy will fight one last battle for you, and Ipromise that Iwill win this fight," LisaPierceysaid to the crowd.

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She had a message for the justice minister and the premier.

"AndrewParsons and DwightBall, never everunderestimatethe power of a mother on a mission, because I'mnot going away or stopping until both women get the public inquiry that they so much deserve."

Doesn't believe it was suicide

Lisa Pierceysaid she was told 48 hours after her daughter's death that it was a suicide but she doesn't believe it.

"Ispoke to her the night before. She was coming back to Corner Brook the following Thursday," she said, adding Samanthawas facing trial on charges of assault June 4.

"She really believed come Friday, she was out. She sounded upbeat, she couldn'twait."

Samantha's younger sister April Piercey, who was at the rally, also questions the official explanation of her sister's death.

"Istill can't believe that she did this to herself so Ireally need that, Ineed them to show me something, give me something to help raise her kids, help get through this myself," April Piercey said.

Piercey said she spoke to her sister, through a friend who sent a message alongon the day she died, to let her know she would get in touch when she got a calling card. Her sister replied that evening to say "I understand, I love you," she said.

"She's had a rough life, a really rough life. She was afraid to die, she's so fragile," she said of Samantha.

"Ireally don't believe it."

Asking for public inquiry, more information

Lisa Piercey plans to travel to St. John's next week to meet with various groups, said will stop at the Clarenville women's prison and RCMP detachment on her way to and from the capital city.

What she hopes to get in those visits is more information about her daughter's last hours and death, she said, including any potential videotape of her cell or the area surrounding it.

Never everunderestimatethe power of a mother on a mission, because I'mnot going away.- Lisa Piercey

"Iwant to see the videos. Ineed to see for myself'.

Both Lisa and April Piercey said they don't believe the independent investigation which will be led by retired Royal Newfoundland Constabulary veteran Marlene Jesso and cover the deaths of Piercey and Martin, as well as that ofa male inmate at Her Majesty's Penetentiary in August isthe appropriate response.

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Her understanding is thatthe investigator's powers are limited, changes won't have to be laid,and the family does not have to be included in the investigation and may not see the findings, Lisa Piercey said.

"Both women, they deserve this public inquiry. Their safety was failed, not just my daughter's but the other woman," Piercey said.

"They failed them."

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