Three days of escalating violent and destructive behaviour has graduated a 19-year-old Whitehorse man from territorial jail to federal prison.

David Allen Geoghegan pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing bodily harm and one count of arson, following two incidents at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre in November 2009.

In the first, Geoghegan had gotten upset when corrections officers told him he would be working in the laundry room instead of going to one of his classes.

According to evidence given in court, Geoghegan was offered study materials so he could work, but was still angry.

He became verbally abusive, the court heard, and was sent back to his dorm room.

En route, he threatened to punch one of the guards, then carried through on his threat, breaking a jail officer's nose and chipping his teeth.

"He then began grappling with the second officer and it took a third officer to assist in restraining him,” according to the judge who sentenced Geoghegan earlier this month.

Geoghegan was put in a segregation room as a result of the attack, and there, his behaviour escalated.

He was put in a room next to Michael Nehass, who the judge described as "someone who also has fairly well-known issues with authority.

"The two appear to have encouraged each other in their behaviour and it has not been a positive experience for anyone.”

Three days after punching the guard, while still in segregation, Geoghegan managed to light his bedclothes on fire with a lighter he had hidden on his person.

He had covered the security camera in his room with wet toilet paper and tied his cell door shut with a bed sheet.

Once guards managed to get his door open, they found Geoghegan unconscious inside. He was taken to Whitehorse General Hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

The drama continued as guards tried to get Nehass out of his room next door, which was rapidly filling with smoke.

According to Whitehorse RCMP, Nehass put up a fight and was charged with assaulting a peace officer.

At Geoghegan's sentencing hearing, territorial court Judge Karen Ruddy said she agreed with the Crown's submission that he be given a federal sentence.

She gave him 18 months for the arson plus six months for the assault, to be served one after the other.

"I am hopeful, perhaps, that Mr. Geoghegan can find some assistance in the federal system that may assist him in revisiting and perhaps changing his behaviour,” the judge said.