By Corrections1 Staff
SASKATCHEWAN, Canada — A 27-year veteran correctional officer is hoping to change the perception of what it’s like to be a CO through his new book.
CBC.ca reported that former correctional officer Pat Bliss wrote a book titled, Behind the Razor Ribbon: A Correctional Officer’s Perspective. The book, according to Bliss, started as a means to give others a better understanding of prison.
“In the process, I found myself reliving a multitude of incidents and experiences — good and bad,” Bliss said.
Bliss, who paints to relieve stress, said he wrote the book so that COs would be portrayed in the correct manner.
“Prison guards are always portrayed in such a horribly negative way,” he said. “People don’t understand who are the people that they’re portraying. I just wanted to bring to light that what you’re watching on television is just totally wrong.”
Bliss’ book has received positive support from the general public as well as his former colleagues.
“People really want to know what goes on behind the walls,” he said. “There are thousands of correctional officers across this country and we don’t have a voice, and I’m really looking forward to having a chance to spread this word.”