Everything about Kingston Penitentiary totally explained
Kingston Penitentiary (known locally as
KP and
Kingston Pen) is a
maximum security prison located in
Kingston,
Ontario between King Street West and
Lake Ontario.
Originally constructed in 1833–1834, and officially opened on
June 1,
1835 as the "Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada," it's one of the oldest prisons in continuous use in the world. It is often referred to as "Alcatraz North". Kingston Penitentiary is one of nine prisons in the Kingston area which range from low-security facilities to the maximum-security facilities Kingston Penitentiary and
Millhaven Institution (which was initially built to replace Kingston Pen).
The penitentiary's western wall adjoins the
Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, which hosted the sailing events for the
1976 Summer Olympics.
Immediately across the road to the north is the now closed
Kingston Prison for Women (now part of
Queen's University), officially opened on
January 24,
1934 to take female prisoners who had originally been housed in segregated quarters in the main facility.
On
April 14,
1971, a
riot at Kingston Penitentiary lasted four days and resulted in the death of two inmates and destruction of much of the prison. Security was substantially increased and prison reforms were instituted. From 1971 - 1981, the penitentiary served as
Corrections Canada's Ontario Region Reception Centre. Today the facility houses between 350 and 500 inmates, plus another 120 at R.T.C. (the Regional Treatment Centre) contained within the prison. Every inmate is given an individual cell.
On
April 30 1997 Kingston Penitentiary was designated a
National Historic Site.
Escapes
In 1999, prisoner
Ty Conn escaped from within the prison; although this feat had been accomplished on at least 26 occasions beginning in 1836, Conn was the first to succeed since 1958. Conn's body was found in Toronto: he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while speaking on the telephone to a producer from the
CBC.
Infamous inmates
Kingston Penitentiary is home to many of Canada's most dangerous and notorious criminals. Notable inmates include
Paul Bernardo, and formerly,
Clifford Olson and
Roger Caron.
Wayne Boden, the Canadian "Vampire Rapist" died there in March 2006.
Tim Buck, leader of the Communist Party, was a political prisoner at Kingston convicted under section 98 of the criminal code during the early 1930s. An attempt was made to murder him when shots entered Buck's cell. It was later found that the shots came from guard weapons. The Prison is considered "the dumping ground for Canada's worst inmates" and almost all are protective custody inmates, who can't function or live in other institutions due to their crimes. The institution is the most violent in Canada with frequent assaults on staff and inmates. The Penitentiary has several internal armed control posts, as well as armed towers and armed gate posts, however line staff are not armed inside the Penitentiary for fear that they (and their arms) might be captured by inmates.
Research Service
Located directly across from Kingston Penitentiary, Canada's Penitentiary Museum houses most of the historical records of that institution as well as other historical Canadian penitentiaries. Genealogists, writers, filmmakers, and more can benefit from contracting this museum's unique research service! Simply follow the link to the museum's website and call or send an email.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Kingston Penitentiary'.
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