The Door

<P>For Canadian corrections offi cer Vern Thibedeau it all began at Disney World-or at least the penitentiary that ironically carried that nickname. </P><P>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 offi cer who is Vern's friend and a food steward.</P><P>Over the course of a career spanning twenty six years Vern was assigned to fi ve 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.</P><P>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.</P><P>Later Vern worked closely with police while investigating a fellow officer who was also a friend. After retirement Vern is contacted by the police who request more information regarding the investigation.</P><P>These are his true stories of his years working behind the bars.</P>