Kingston Penitentiary

Kingston Penitentiary was once Canada’s oldest and most notorious maximum-security prison, operating from 1867 to 2013. Within its stone walls unfolded daring escape attempts, violent uprisings, including the deadly 1971 Kingston Prison Riot, and stories that still echo through the corridors. Many say those echoes are more than just memories, and “KP” is rumored to have its share of ghosts haunting its halls.

Today, the site feels frozen in time. Some cells still hold the personal belongings of former inmates, faded informational posters cling to the walls, and the family visitation room’s bright murals now seem eerily out of place.

Guided tours bring the past to life, featuring firsthand stories from former prison staff who knew the institution best. Visitors can also explore the Kingston Penitentiary Museum across the street to learn more about this infamous institution.