Life Lessons Through Photography: Kingston Penitentiary Tour-Part 3 The main cellblock

When the tour began, we got taken into a second V&C room for our briefing. On the way out, we saw what I (and many others I suspect) thought the only way Max Security prisoners ever got visitors. The classic locked in and talk on a phone. Surprisingly, this is not the norm for visits, but reserved for those that have not earned or have lost the privilege of the open visit.

But that still wasn't the biggest surprise in terms of the way prisoners got visits. I had been prepared by TV and movies to expect the "Conjugal visit" trailer, where the con gets his "gal" for an hour or two. No such trailer exists here. Instead, they had PFV or "Private Family Visit" apartments. Every few months, a con could apply for a 72 hour visit, with up to 15 family and friends! In that time, the families were left alone, cooked for themselves and had a chance to just be a family. No guards or cameras inside, just a phone for emergencies. Not every prisoner was eligible, but there were 6 of these self contained units, and they were pretty much in full time use. We did not get to look inside, but they were described as a basic 3-4 bedroom starter home.

This is the main gate, as seen from the inside. This includes a disused "Sally Port" that was designed like an airlock to allow vehicles part way In/Out for inspection.

Before we got in to the main cell-block, we got to see the outside of Keepers Hall, an area that holder admin officer, but used to have small cells in the basement.

Entrance of Keepers Hall.

Lower windows, what used to be the cells. Even the admin offices have bars!

You have to ask yourself, what forces bent these bars!

This is inside the dome, the center of the 4 wings. You can see that there are 4 stories of cell blocks, each apparently able to be very separated. The main way of controlling inmates, is containment, keeping the population in discrete units to be able to avoid major riots. Obviously fairly successful, since KP has not had a major riot since 1971. Our visit was limited to the ground floor. Note the secure cage in the center for guards protection.

The view straight up the dome.

This is a secure stairwell to the other stories.

Another eye opener. The first wing we toured was in the old style format. It had a lower bunk, for those prisoners that were too old/injured/or otherwise would have a difficult time getting on a top bunk. Narrow, with some bathroom privacy, a fold down desk and a locker. Note there is no window to the outside. This is one of the reasons KP was closed, since the modern designs have the ability to get fresh light and air to the cells, controlled by the prisoner.

This dummy appears to have been made by some guards to give the lived in look.

From here you can see that within one wing, two floor are not fully segregated from each other.

Stainless Steel all in one sink and toilet. Talk about stylish!

This cell got me thinking as well. The wall between two normal cells was removed, a big open space created and the bed was in a different room from the desk. My first thought was..is this "First Class". Snitches only? Then I found out...Handicap stalls. This is for those prisoners in WHEELCHAIRS?!? That had never occurred to me. Of course there are prisoners in wheelchairs, but I had never thought of it.

This is a more typical cell from a different cell block wing. No, this is not bunk beds, this is a loft bed over a desk. No wider, but a more effective use of the vertical space, giving an area for entertainment devices such as CD players and TV's.

So, who does there laundry..they do!One set of machines for all the prisoners.

These photos show a decorated cell. I did not know they would be allowed to block the view to get more privacy. And the amount of electronics and entertainment equipment was a bit of a surprise.

With all the free time, some prisoners spent time decorating.

Another cell left "like it was when in use"

The secure booth in the middle of the dome.

One tour challenge was keeping open doors designed to close...

The view down the hall of the "Dissociation Unit". What most of us would call "Solitary". Short term only, usually for protection and close observation. And no, this was not where the worst of the worst lived full time.

Inside a Dissociation Cell.

These are the chairs that were all over..Harder to make into weapons I guess.

The view to the Hospital Wing.

Close up to the upper levels.

After the 1972 riot, the wing heading south on the ground was so badly damaged, it needed a complete rebuild. The decision was made to turn it into a "Regional Treatment Center", where there were multiple programs such as substance abuse, or issue with Sex. There was also a library and on the walls, a reminder that prisoners still hold some rights...