The medium-security prison’s eyeglass program has reached the three million mark, having provided glasses for people in more than 50 countries collected by the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre.
The centre’s inmates have been sorting through used eyewear for 14 years and those involved – Calgary Correctional Centre, the Canadian Lions Club, – wanted to mark the occasion and chose the prison for the venue for the announcement.
This kind of access is rare. But when there’s something that the powers-that-be want to promote the usual restrictions are sometimes waved.
Security protocols were strictly adhered to though. The various media and dignitaries were led through the maze of barred hallways and security doors under assigned guard.
Images from top:
-Calgary Correctional Centre inmate Jayden (last name withheld) checks eyeglasses prescriptions at the centre.
-Calgary Correctional Centre inmate Ken (last name withheld) checks eyeglasses prescriptions at the centre.
-A correctional officer stands watch at the Calgary Correctional Centre.
-Calgary Correctional Centre inmate Matthew (last name withheld) checks sorts through eyeglasses at the centre.
–Calgary Correctional Centre inmate Ken (last name withheld) checks eyeglasses prescriptions at the centre.
-A picture of a child from Haiti who received eyeglass is taped to a window in the Calgary Correctional Centre.
-A photographer can’t resist taking a quick self-portrait in a security hall at the Calgary Correctional Centre. (Other faces hidden for privacy)