Kingston, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Kingston Penitentiary
⎯⎯⎯
Le Penitencier de Kingston

Kingston Penitentiary Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

1. Kingston Penitentiary Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Opened on 1 June 1835, Kingston Penitentiary is Canada's oldest reformatory prison. Its layout-an imposing front gate leading to a cross- shaped cellblock, with workshops to the rear-was the model for other federal prisons for more than a century. Its main structures constitute an impressive grouping of inmate-built 19th-century classical architecture in local stone. Kingston Penitentiary represented a significant departure from the way society had dealt with its criminals. Previously, jails were used primarily as places to hold convicts awaiting execution, banishment or public humiliation. The penitentiary imposed a severe régime designed to reform the inmate through reflection, hard work and the fear of punishment. "KP employed the congregate system first developed at Auburn, New York, where inmates lived in small cells but worked together from dawn to dusk, all under a rigidly enforced rule of silence. Kingston Penitentiary stands as a powerful symbol of this country's commitment to the maintenance of law and order.

Ouvert le 1^er juin 1835, ce pénitencier est la plus ancienne maison de correction du Canada. Son plan - une imposante grille d'entrée menant à un bloc cellulaire en forme de croix, avec des ateliers à l'arrière - a servi de modèle à d'autres prisons fédérales pendant plus d'un siècle.

Ses bâtiments principaux constituent un ensemble impressionnant d'édifices en pierre locale construits par les détenus dans le style classique du XIXe siècle. Le pénitencier de Kingston innova dans la façon de traiter les criminels. Auparavant, les prisons servaient surtout à garder les condamnés avant l'exécution, l'exil ou l'humiliation publique. Le pénitencier institua un régime sévère visant plutôt à les réformer par la réflexion, le travail et la crainte du châtiment.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Selon ce système, conçu à Auburn (New York), les détenus vivaient dans de petites cellules, mais travaillaient ensemble de l'aube au crépuscule dans le silence le plus strict. Ce pénitencier symbolise avec force la détermination du Canada à faire respecter l'ordre public.

Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 1, 1835.

Location. 44° 13.265′ N, 76° 30.739′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Ontario. It is on King Street West close to Sir John A Macdonald Blvd, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kingston ON K7L 2X8, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once

Kingston Penitentiary / Le Penitencier de Kingston Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

2. Kingston Penitentiary / Le Penitencier de Kingston Marker

a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1976 Olympic Cairn (approx. half a kilometer away); Roselawn / La Maison Roselawn (approx. half a kilometer away); Donald Gordon Centre / Le Centre Donald Gordon (approx. half a kilometer away); Bellevue House / Villa Bellevue (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); The Coach House / La Remise (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Professors' Walk (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Queen's University's Royal Charter (approx. 1.5 kilometers away); University Avenue Beautification (approx. 1.5 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kingston.

More about this marker. Kingston is independent from the surrounding Frontenac County.

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

3. Kingston Penitentiary / Le Penitencier de Kingston Marker

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

4. Kingston Penitentiary / Le Penitencier de Kingston Marker

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

5. Kingston Penitentiary / Le Penitencier de Kingston Marker

Photographed by Robert Rusaw, August 29, 2022

6. Kingston Penitentiary / Le Penitencier de Kingston Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 27, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. This page has been viewed 359 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 30, 2022, by Robert Rusaw of Massena, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

Kingston Penitentiary⎯⎯⎯Le Penitencier de Kingston

Kingston Penitentiary
⎯⎯⎯
Le Penitencier de Kingston