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Kingston Penitentiary was one of nine prisons in the Kingston area, prisons which had ranged from low-security facilities to the maximum-security facilities of Kingston Penitentiary and of Millhaven Institution, which was initially built to replace Kingston Pen.
- 564
- Maximum security
- June 1, 1835
- Kingston, Ontario
Visit the Kingston Penitentiary, the oldest maximum security prison in Canada, and learn about its history and stories. Choose from different tour options, including express, standard and extended, and enjoy the site's accessibility features and amenities.
- 45 min
- Daniel Schwartz
- The Penitentiary opens in 1835. When the first five convicts arrived from Toronto in 1835 to serve their time, the new prison, then named the Provincial Penitentiary of the Province of Upper Canada, was not yet open for business, and so the inmates had to be held at the county jail for five days.
- Child prisoners. There were children within KP's walls in the early years, incarcerated even at eight years old. Antoine Beauche was given a three-year sentence at KP in 1845 when he was eight.
- Charles Dickens' visit. If such stories conjure up memories of a Charles Dickens novel, know that the great English writer visited KP in 1842. Dickens made a mention of it in his book American Notes, inexplicably writing, "There is an admirable gaol here, well and wisely governed, and excellently regulated in every respect."
- Famous escapes. Escapes from KP were few and far between. Two of the most famous escapes involved going over the wall with a ladder. In 1923, the man who has been called Canada's most notorious criminal, bank robber Red Ryan, led four inmates over the wall after first setting fire to a shed as a distraction.
Experience the history and stories of Kingston Penitentiary, the most notorious prison in Canada. Book a tour in English or French and explore the pen with guides and accessibility options.
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Book tickets online to visit Kingston Penitentiary, a National Historic Site and former maximum-security prison. Learn about the history, architecture and film of this iconic building and see the Canada's Penitentiary Museum across the street.
Learn about the evolution, riots, and closure of Canada's oldest and most notorious prison. Explore the stories and artifacts of the inmates and staff who shaped this iconic institution.
Step inside the walls of Canada’s oldest penitentiary and explore the living and working areas, some dating back to the 1830s. Hear the personalized accounts from former staff and learn about the history and the daily routines, including stories of escapes, riots and everything in between on this guided tour.
