Visit to Kingston Pen

The Kingston area is well known for its prisons.  Some are tucked off on lesser roads or highways near to the city as one would expect – but there are a few that are, or were, right smack in town.  

One of these is the historic Kingston Pen.

Surprisingly lovely stonework (main gate as seen from Inside)

The Kingston Pen is a magnificent and imposing looking structure on the waterfront within Kingston city limits.  Kingston Pen was British North America’s first penitentiary opening in 1835, about 30 years before Confederation, making it about 180 years old.  The initial name was the “Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada”.

It initially held both men and women (though separated) and the youngest inmate was a mere 8 years old !!!   Of course that was a very long time ago.  Also a very long time ago one punishment – solitary I suppose – involved putting the inmate into a hole in the ground with a grill over top, to have them think about the error of their ways.  Apparently at the time this was progressive, though it was not clear what it was an upgrade from.  Corporal punishment I suppose. 

We got to see the out side of the cottages set up for family visits, and the visiting area where the prisoners and visitors talk through glass (just like in the movies)

Visiting area, just like the movies

 The cells seem pretty small, but originally they were half the size (renos in 1895 and 1906 combined 2 cells into one).  The original cells were only 29 inches wide, and I cannot imagine living out years in that tiny space.  Size is all relevant of course .... current size is not dramatically off half a smaller sized 2 person university dorm room.

Upper is a bunk and lower is a desk

Cells

Central area from which wings with the cells go out

As well – the earliest inmates were tasked with building the prison – which of course makes one wonder if in the 1830s being a skilled stone mason was an early way to find your self incarcerated

Inside of the building with the workshops

More recently the prisoners were set to work doing things like repairing the mailbags used by Canada Post, and building mattresses.  The workshops are quite beautiful structures interestingly.  I think this one was the mattress making shop

Beautiful workshop room (check out the ceiling)

Kingston Pen also held most of Canada’s most notorious inmates (think Paul Bernardo, Clifford Olson, Mohammad Shafia, Michael Rafferty and Russell Williams) who spent their time in a segregated area for their own protection.

In any case Kingston Pen was decommissioned in 2013 and is now available for tours.  The first year of this I tried, and failed, to get tickets – it was, and is, a really popular tour.  This year I was lucky and with guests visiting – what says Kingston more than a penitentiary.

As this is hopefully my only opportunity to see the inside of a penitentiary ……