Come visit Canada's Penitentiary Museum, the award-winning museum dedicated solely to the preservation and interpretation of the history of our federal penitentiaries! Located at the birthplace of the Correctional Service of Canada in Kingston Ontario, the museum is housed within the former Warden's residence of Canada's oldest penitentiary.

Visitors are often surprised at the complexity of a penitentiary environment. It isn't just about crime and punishment. Learn about the forward-thinking entertainment and art programs introduced in the 1950s as you wander through the eight display rooms at your own pace. See our unparalleled collection of penitentiary-related artifacts and photographs. As an added bonus, during the summer months, the museum is staffed by Volunteers. Many of them are retired Correctional officers whose first-hand experiences date back to 1959!

To encourage local tourism, the museum grounds offer a breath-taking view over Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Lake Ontario. Many of our visitors come by just to admire the limestone architecture that has made Kingston famous the world over as "the Limestone City".

In 2003 the Penitentiary Museum won the"Rand McNally Best of the Road " Award. One of only 27 sites in North America to do so! Join the more than 26,000 people per year who "do time at" the Penitentiary Museum...it's time well spent!