Kingston Penitentiary

About the Institution

Kingston Penitentiary is a maximum security facility located in Kingston, Ontario. It shares a property with the Regional Treatment Centre. Built in 1835, Kingston Penitentiary predates Confederation. The institution is based on a Dome design model where offender accommodations are direct observation living units.

As part of CSC's efforts to encourage inmates to become law-abiding citizens, CSC offers various national correctional programs.

Maintaining appropriate infrastructure that fits the needs of a first-class, modern correctional system is key to public safety. As such, on April 19, 2012, the Government announced it will close operations at three CSC sites, including Kingston Penitentiary.

This facility has an infrastructure that does not lend itself well to the challenges of managing the institutional routines of today's complex offender population.

The decommissioning of this infrastructure will enable CSC to achieve cost savings while ensuring public safety. It will be completed by 2014-2015.

Public safety is the number one consideration in all placement and transfer decisions. In accordance with the CCRA, CSC will ensure offenders are appropriately placed at other institutions.

Facility Characteristics

• Institution for male offenders
• Security level: maximum
• Date opened: 1835
• Rated capacity: 386