A view from behind the bars inside Kingston Pen

The Kingston Penitentiary opened for business 32 years before Canada became a nation. Before it closed a year ago, award-winning photographer Geoffrey James was granted access to create a visual record of life inside the institution. These images are from Inside Kingston (1835–2013) Penitentiary: Geoffrey James (Black Dog Publishing, Oct. 1) as well as an exhibition on display at Queen’s University’s Samuel J. Zacks and Contemporary Feature Galleries until Dec. 7.

The family-visit housing units. Normally, offenders were allowed a
visit (up to 72 hours) every two months.
Food could be ordered, and toys were provided for children
(they weren't allowed to bring their own).

A cell mural by an inmate from Nunavut

Inmate reading material included Barack Obama's autobiography

More: The Globe and Mail