Kindersley Composite School's Law 30 class recently toured the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, gaining a unique perspective on the workings inside the federal prison system. The visit, which lasted about three hours, was part of a class project designed to help students better understand the role and day-to-day operations of correctional facilities.
Eliana Helgason, one of the students on the tour, said the experience challenged some of her previous assumptions about prison life. “I think, in the end, it made me rethink a career choice of mine,” she said.
During the visit, the students toured various sections of the penitentiary, including intake areas, healthcare facilities, and workspaces where inmates are employed, such as a cabinet shop and framing shop.
“There are job opportunities for inmates inside,” Helgason explained. “They have learning programs, and some inmates work in a cabinet shop, building cabinets for other places.” She noted that even within the restrictions of prison, inmates have access to meaningful work and education, which helps with rehabilitation and skill development.
The students also toured cell blocks, where Helgason was surprised to see that inmates personalize their cells despite the strict rules and limited belongings. “For me, I wouldn’t expect it because they don’t have a lot of things, but there’s still some freedom of expression in a way,” she said. She compared the social environment in the penitentiary to high school, where different groups interact and sometimes clash.
Helgason was particularly struck by how approachable the inmates seemed during the tour. “If they weren’t wearing the blue that they wear, I would have never known. It was like talking to an everyday person,” she said. The experience gave her a new perspective on the humanity of people inside the prison system, which is often lost in media portrayals.
Another memorable part of the visit was meeting a canine officer, which also inspired Helgason to consider new career possibilities. “Seeing that in person and being able to ask questions, maybe this isn’t such a bad idea to get into,” she said. The tour helped ease her initial nervousness and provided valuable insight into the realities of working within the criminal justice system.
Overall, the visit gave the students a deeper understanding of prison life and reinforced the importance of respect and presence for those who work in corrections. For Helgason and her classmates, it was an eye-opening experience that went far beyond what textbooks can teach.
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