The Door: my twenty-six years working inside canadas prisons

Description

"For Canadian corrections officer Vern Thibedeau, it all began at 'Disney World' - or at least the penitentiary that ironically carried that nickname. Within ten months, he is seriously injured. One year later he has a pistol aimed at his head during an incident in which two officers and a civilian are shot. Four years later, an inmate murders a correctional officer, who is Vern's friend, and a food steward. Over the course of a career spanning twenty-six years, Vern was assigned to five different prisons, but his time behind the stark walls of Kingston Penitentiary was his most difficult. During his assignment there, he dealt with some of the most notorious and dangerous inmates in Canada's history, such as Clifford Olson and others as bad as Paul Bernardo and Russell Williams. He was part of several hostage incidents and was taken hostage himself once. The stress of his job manifested itself in a variety of physical and emotional injuries, and he found himself forced to take time off to recover. It all culminated during a horrific time when a sex offender is taken to segregation - and his victim is approximately the age of Vern's own daughter. It all struck a little too close for comfort. Later, Vern worked closely with police while investigating a fellow officer who was also a friend. After retirement, Vern is contracted by the police who request more information regarding the investigation. These are his true stories of his years working behind the bars."--;My first day at Collin's Bay Penitentiary -- My tour of Collin's Bay Penitentiary -- My terrifying first overtime shift -- Attempted escape in two block -- Induction course. A tower, drunken inmates and a rifle -- Inmate suicide. My first grievance -- Inmate disturbance. Staff walk-out. Mounties in the blocks -- Coworker doing time. I am seriously injured -- Two sex offenders. My first cell extraction -- I'm abducted. Two police officers and one civilian shot -- One block office fire-bombed. Promoted and transferred to MI -- First couple of months as a CX 4 at MI -- Two staff at CBI murdered. I'm transferred into the SHU -- Armed in a hospital -- Attempted escape from the SHU. Promoted and transferred to JI -- Transferred to KP. Union conflicts. Union president ordered off property -- Inmate and a knife. Hostage negotiations -- Three CX killed. Inmate Olson and phone calls. Back to MI -- Shooting at KP. An escape and a helicopter. Transfer to BI -- Bath from a minimum to a medium. Two lifters escape. Inmate suicide -- Domestic response. A CX 4 is involved with illegal activities -- Charter problems. CX 4 suicide at bath. Investigation. Retirement.