Correctional Service of Canada Museum

This.museum is the most visited museum among the twenty or so Kingston area museums. Most of us have never been in a jail so we're curious about what goes on behind the gate. Moreover, Corrections Canada has a large presence in Kingston and the nearby area with seven operating penitentiaries, a Corrections college and a Corrections regional administration. There is a relatively large percentage of Kingston households where a member has a professional connection with the penitentiaries. This particular museum is also well located because it presides over the now closed Kingston Penitentiary to the south and is next to the long closed Women's Penitentiary to the north. This museum is in fact the former house of the Kingston Penitentiary warden. When you arrive at the Warden's House for a visit, you are greeted by a volunteer who was likely a former employee. They point out that there is no charge but that donations are welcomed. The tour is also self-guided which is fine because there are only about seven rooms to visit on the two floors and everything is well-signed. Everything you see is very interesting. There are two sample cells from different points in time. There are large collections of inmate creations including shivs, firearms, escape ropes and artwork. There are lots of stories about both the inmates and the corrections officers. When you leave the Warden's House, you'll want to walk around to the back. You'll see the imposing Women's Penitentiary about which there is talk of making it into a woman's museum. There also remnants of the tall prison walls including the entire west wall. A portion of the east wall is still draped with threatening razor wire.
8 years ago (25-10-2017)

Take a self guided tour in this amazing museum. So many interesting items/things to see. Really opens your eyes seeing the items that prisoners used as weapons. The staff was great & there was 1 security guard that spent extra time with my son in explaining some things.
8 years ago (14-10-2017)

I have visited this museum multiple times over the past two years. It is run solely by donations. The museum is self-guided although there are always friendly staff happy to talk if you have questions or want to learn more. The lower level was much more interesting to me as it featured things from attempted escapes and the weapons inmates made while inside the pen. If you're interested in learning more about this historic penitentiary, then the museum is worth a visit.
8 years ago (31-07-2017)

The museum guide was a retired correction officer from Kingston Prison and provided interesting facts about the prison from days gone by. The museum displays stories such as eloborate escape plans/attempts by prisoners or other displays such as how the term "sent to box" was coined. Interested in how the prison delt with unruly prisoners? Well wonder no more, check out the 19th century method of waterboarding for unruly inmates. The original device is on display to include a detailed record of each time used...use was discontinued due to a death in Auburn Prison, New York...the device makes modern waterboarding, as seen via media, look like a cake walk. If you are curious about the history of the Kingston prison or just prison in general, highly recommend a visit.
8 years ago (13-01-2018)

Excellent presentation of historical and correctional service artifacts! Even better the Kingston Peniteniary Premium Tour across King St taken best after the Museum. Highlights are the retired 'correctional workers' and 'guards' stories at both facilities. Mike survived the inmate traffic at the 'Grand Central Station' KPDome. Louise as the feisty first female in Segregation who quick-wittedly managed her safety. The highlight speaker was the gifted RN Brian at the KP Psychiatric Hospital with his humour, compassion and humanity as he managed the mentally/psychiatrically challenged inmates experiencing their recreational therapy. Truly Canadian unsung hero/heroines. Definite must-see tours!
8 years ago (02-01-2018)