A Look Inside Windsor Jail

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is offering a rare look into the now closed Windsor Jail.

The historic facility built in 1925 originally held 101 inmates: 91 male and ten female. In the last 20 years, over 20,000 individuals were admitted to the facility.

Deputy Regional Director and former Superintendent of the Windsor Jail Ken Fitzgerald says the old facility created many challenges for staff. "The accommodations here are cellular and they go in one direction. At the Southwest Detention Centre, it's an open concept, lots of natural lighting, it's a good environment for the inmates and a good environment for the staff to work in."

Tours of the Windsor jail are being offered to the public November 14-16 for $10 with proceeds going towards the establishment of a correctional services memorial.

The Windsor Jail, built in 1925, (Photo by Maureen Revait)

The kitchen in the Windsor Jail where well behaved inmates would work along side kitchen staff. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Knives and other kitchen utensils were kept under lock and key at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Laundry facility at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Segregation shower stall at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Segregation units at the Windsor Jail. used for misbehaviour or protection of the inmate. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Segregation unit at the Windsor Jail. used for misbehaviour or protection of the inmate. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Message in one of the segregation units at the Windsor Jail. used for misbehaviour or protection of the inmate. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Cell bars (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Admitting cells at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Living unit at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Living cell at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Living cell at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Part of the living unit at the Windsor Jail (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Outdoor space at the Windsor Jail. Inmates were given 20 minutes a day outside. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Larger living unit at the Windsor Jail. This would have housed 24 inmates at capacity. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

The facility was constructed with built-in gallows in 1925. The trap door on the third floor was welded shut in 1976. Three people were executed at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Bolt in the ceiling above the trap door where a heavy iron ring was anchored for hangings. (Photo by Maureen Revait)

Visitors room at the Windsor Jail. (Photo by Maureen Revait)