Kingston Penitentiary Riot of 1971

Now that the Harper government has passed its omnibus crime bill, it is expected that more, longer and harsher sentences will pack prisons and other correctional facilities.  Inmates can look forward to far better conditions than those very harsh ones that led to one of the bloodiest prison riots in Canadian history.

In 1971, inmates spent at least 16 hours a day locked in virtual isolation in their cells, subject to restrictive prison rules and severe discipline for any rule violation. Helpless, hopeless and with no venue for complaint, the prisoners turned to violence in order to be heard.

Five guards were taken hostage and some prisoners brutally tortured. Two of the prisoners died, 13 were seriously injured and part of Kingston Penitentiary was destroyed.