Pat Bliss

Behind the Razor Ribbon Pat Bliss

Life inside a Federal Penitentiary is a mystery to most people. Closely governed by rule and law, Federal Penitentiaries are nevertheless complex communities of people who live and work behind the razor ribbon that encircles them. Correctional Officers are among the few people who are part of the daily experiences behind the walls of prisons across the country.

This collection of images of twenty-nine pieces of artwork and their narratives is one retired Correctional Officer's depiction of that community, and of his experiences working at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary. The artwork, created with various mediums, captures moments and events, experiences and feelings-both traumatic and humorous-that have impacted the artist. This body of work provides a glimpse into what life behind the razor ribbon is like for those who live and work there, and has been a healing journey for the artist who created it.

Behind the Razor Ribbon-A Correctional Officer's Perspective illuminates and provides understanding of the role of the Correctional Officer in Canada's prison system in a unique and personal context.