Prison for Women, Heritage prison building in Kingston, Canada
The Prison for Women is a limestone structure located at 40 Sir John A Macdonald Boulevard, built with thick walls and cell blocks designed to house female inmates. The building displays typical 1930s prison architecture with separate areas accommodating different security levels.
The facility was constructed between 1925 and 1933, with inmates from Kingston Penitentiary assisting in the building process using local stone. It opened in 1934 as Canada's first federal institution dedicated exclusively to female inmates.
The Prison for Women represented a shift in correctional practices, marking Canada's first federal institution dedicated exclusively to housing female offenders in 1934.
The site is generally open to visitors, though some areas have limited access due to ongoing campus development. Plan your visit ahead, as available areas may change depending on university activities and maintenance schedules.
Before its official use by women, male inmates from Kingston Penitentiary were temporarily housed in the new facility to ease overcrowding issues. This unexpected arrangement lasted several years until the building finally served its intended purpose.
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