It is 1998 and you’ve landed yourself a bunk in the Dissociation Cell area of Stony Mountain Institution in Manitoba. While using your supplied toothbrush for its rudimentary purpose of brushing your teeth is an option, there is another one. The innovative inmate you are, you could also use it and source remnants of various household items from around the prison and engineer a crossbow. An unknown inmate from Stony Mountain Institution decided to go with the latter option. This crossbow, on display at Canada’s Penitentiary Museum in Kingston, is just one example of impressive creativity by penitentiary inmates. The Museum contains a significant amount of contraband seized by prisons across Canada. The various materials used to create weapons illustrate the resourcefulness of inmates. Not only did inmates craft dangerous weapons, they also designed tools including tattoo machines , guns, fans and even distillery devices.
Canada’s Penitentiary Museum formerly housed the wardens of Kingston Penitentiary. There is eight display rooms that each outlines a particular theme including: Correctional Service Canada (CSC) officers, confiscated contraband, punishment and rules, and artistic expression. The extensive collection of artefacts and photographs chronicle the practices employed in penitentiaries from punishment to rehabilitation.
This emphasis on rehabilitation is evident in the art created by innovative inmates. Inmate artistic talent is display throughout the Museum ranging from painting, sculpture, carving, ship models and more.
Visit Canada’s Penitentiary Museum Today!
Canada’s Penitentiary Museum is a unique destination that gives context to the incredibly popular Kingston Pen Tours. The self-guided tour is an insightful experience that is a must see for everyone!
Visit Canada’s Penitentiary Museum at https://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/ for more information and opening hours! Or check the Museum out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
If you would like to learn more about the Museums, Art Galleries and Historic Sites of Kingston and the Area start by exploring the spaces around you!