A Saskatchewan judge has denied a coroner’s office request to seal a report into the death of Kinew James, an inmate at the Saskatoon Regional Psychiatric Centre who died three years ago.

The judge issued his written decision Friday, siding with both the Elizabeth Fry Society, a group that advocates for women in the justice system, and several media outlets, including CTV News. The two parties were fighting the Office of the Chief Coroner’s request to seal the report.

James, who was 35, died in January 2013 after she was found unresponsive in her cell and taken to hospital.

The Elizabeth Fry Society said other inmates reported at the time hearing James shouting for help and using a distress button in her cell.

Both Correctional Service Canada and the coroner’s office argued the initial report into her death should not be made public before an upcoming coroner’s inquest because the report could influence the inquest’s jury, the parties stated.

Media outlets and the Elizabeth Fry Society argued this would not be the case.

The inquest, which will look into the cause of James’s death, is set for April.

The Elizabeth Fry group is fighting to be part of the process.

The society will be in court Feb. 4 to see if a judge will review a Saskatchewan coroner’s decision to bar the group from participating in the inquest.

James was serving time for manslaughter, assault, uttering threats, arson, mischief and obstruction of justice.

--- with files from The Canadian Press