Kingston Penitentiary - Maximum Security Prison - Ontario

Step behind the Iron Bars 
Constructed in 1833 was originally called Provincial Penitentiary of Upper Canada Province. The facility consisted of a single, large limestone cell block containing 154 cells in 5 tiers. When completed it was the largest public building in Upper Canada at 8.6 hectares on Lake Ontario. 
Cell size 2.4' wide - 8' deep - 6.7 ' high. Surrounded by exterior fence 12' high.
The limestone will certainly get into your bones as you walk through the corridors. 
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For the first 99 years, women were incarcerated within its wall, although segregated from male population. Children as young as 8 yrs old were also incarcerated in the early days.

Riots Wreak Havoc
Kingston Pen experience three major riots, 1932, 1954, 1971. 
1954- Prisoners destroyed the iconic grand dome
1971- Involved the taking of hostages, inmate deaths, extensive damage

The end of an era
Brutal conditions were outlined in the rules and regulations of the institution. Among them, a stipulation for inmates to “preserve unbroken silence,” meaning they “must not exchange a word with one another under any pretence whatever.” They also could not “exchange looks, wink, laugh, nod or gesticulate to each other. Disobeying, meant: “Corporal punishment will be instantly inflicted.”
In 2012  the federal government announced  it would cease operations due to the aging infrastructure and in Sept 30th 2013 inmates were moved to other locations.

What a bone chilling feeling going through the gates of this maximum security prison! Knowledgeable guides, that served as former guards, corrections officers, having spent at least 30 years working at the Pen, tell their powerful stories of those notorious facts and figures.