Correctional Service of Canada Museum

The Correctional Service of Canada Museum, also known as Canada’s Penitentiary Museum, is located in Kingston, Ontario and houses a collection of artifacts relating to the history of federal corrections in Canada.

Today, the museum is visited by more than 30,000 people from around the world annually.

History of the Museum

In 1964, Superintendent Robert Cunningham of the Correctional Staff College in Kingston circulated a memo to all Wardens and District Directors of the Canadian Penitentiary Service. It announced that a museum dedicated to the preservation of Canada’s federal correctional history was being established in Kingston.

In 1966, with the departure of Mister Cunningham, Murray Millar was appointed Superintendent. He worked diligently to build the foundation of what has become this award-winning museum.

What you can expect to find

Photos, documents and other items that highlight and showcase the history of federal corrections in Canada are on display at Canada’s Penitentiary Museum.

Some items you could find at the Museum include:

• contraband weapons and escape paraphernalia (which reflect inmate ingenuity)
• early punishment and restraint equipment (which show the methods that have been used to keep order and discipline in our institutions)
• inmate hobby crafts (which highlights rehabilitative efforts while showcasing individual talents)

Watch stories of CSC’s history

Watch our mini-series Museum Minutes to get a glimpse of the museum’s unique history.

• Museum Minutes

Visitor information

The CSC Museum is housed in "Cedarhedge", the former official warden's residence, of Kingston Penitentiary.

Built by inmate labour between 1871 and 1873, the building is a fine example of Victorian Italianate vernacular architecture.

Address

Phone: 613-530-3122
info@penitentiarymuseum.ca

Related links

• Canada’s Penitentiary Museum
• Remembering the past, honouring our fallen
• Ethnocultural minorities and the Canadian correctional system
• Corrections in Canada: a historical timeline
• History of penitentiaries in Canada
• History of Correctional Service of Canada uniforms
• Celebrating the people of CSC: 35 years of staff dedication