I Was a Corrections Officer. The Initiation Was Messed Up.

The author of ‘Barker House’ on his time working in a New Hampshire jail

Photo illustration. Source photo courtesy of the author.

We’re standing in the sally port, 11 cadets, and even though just four weeks ago we were strangers, we’ve bonded. Team-building exercises did it: assembling Legos together while blindfolded, sweaty PT drills, communal showers, Friday night…