Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (June 17/02) - If you're in the market for compelling Inuit art, check out the trailer behind the jail.

Jutai Noah works on a transformation carving. - Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo

Throughout the week, inmates carve, make drums, jewelry and even kayaks behind the Baffin Correctional Centre. They sell them Friday afternoons from 1 to 4 p.m., or by special appointment.

Other than some initial funding from the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to buy stone, the eight-month program is self-supporting and doesn't cost the centre a dime.

The inmates set up the program and recreation director Ed Pardy acts as a liaison between the carvers and the centre. Prices -- which are reasonable by market standards -- are set by the inmate artists, who keep 80 per cent of the profits. The rest goes into a fund for materials.

Jorgensen Klengenberg is working on a carving of an iglu on the ice. He's etching different animals into the base.

"I like to make detailed carvings," he explains.

"He sure does, man," pipes in Jutai Noah, who is etching a transformation carving. "I like the way he carves. When I first saw his work, I liked it right away. I thought, 'holy moly.'"

Both men earned a living carving before going to prison. And they both send the money they make to their families.

"I appreciate that they let us out here," says Klengenberg. He has a wife and four children in Kugluktuk, and one year left to serve.

Does being out here make his time in prison easier?

"In a way," he says. "I'd prefer to be at home where I can feed my kids and pamper my babies. But it makes me feel good that I can help out, even though I can't be with them."

Both staff and inmates find it fascinating how the themes the carvings display vary according to region.

The inmates learn from each other, swapping styles and techniques. And advanced carvers help out beginners.

Deputy warden Kim Ross says the morale at the prison has changed since the program began. And for a few inmates having a rough time adjusting to prison, getting the chance to carve changed their behaviour dramatically.

It also changed the way staff perceive the inmates.

"A lot of people are amazed at the talent inmates display," she says.

Even recreation director Ed Pardy is learning to carve. "For a beginner he's good," says Noah.