Jessica Stuckey has the mental ability of a six-year-old but was incarcerated at Pine Grove for 36 days. (submitted photo)

By paNOW Staff

Wrongful incarceration

Mentally disabled woman jailed at Pine Grove just needed support: NDP

Jan 17, 2023 | 4:00 PM

A woman with a disability that has the mental development of a six-year-old spent 36 days at Pine Grove simply needed better help from the provincial government, says the Sask. NDP party.

Social Services critic Meara Conway said today that Jessica Stuckey is now in a psychiatric hospital, and still not getting the help she needs.

“I’m shocked by what Scott Moe’s Sask. Party has become, going from pledging to make Saskatchewan the best place to live with a disability to turning a blind eye while someone with the mental capacity of a six-year-old is jailed,” Conway said.

Conway said Jessica has Smith-Magenis Syndrome and needs care more than what is available to her right now and that led to her first being jailed and then hospitalized.

“Jessica is currently detained at a psychiatric hospital because the Sask. Party government has failed to provide appropriate supports for her in the community,” Conway said at a news conference.

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She will not be released until community supports are in place.

Efforts by Jessica’s parents to have more help have faced challenges and Conway pointed out that they would cost less money than having her where she is at the moment.

In the lead-up to her incarceration, Jessica was calling 911 for help and after being told she could not do that unless someone was in distress, she began uttering threats.

“Jessica found herself incarcerated because of behaviour that she cannot manage on her own. Behaviour that she needs support with, behaviour that was a clear cry for help,” Conway said.

She also said the province was aware of all the issues for the entire time and rather than stepping in, Conway said they did not.

Following a hearing last week where Jessica was declared not fit to stand trial on her charges, she was told by the review board panel that she would stay in the psychiatric hospital for the foreseeable future until something was put in place in the community to help her.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com