Collins Bay Institution
{{Short description|Canadian correctional facility}}
{{Infobox prison
| prison_name = Collins Bay Institution
Établissement de Collins Bay
| image = File:Collins_Bay_Institution.JPG
| caption = Collins Bay Institution Main Building
| coordinates = {{coord|44|14|5|N|76|33|12|W|type:landmark_region:CA-ON|display=inline,title}}
| status = Operational
| street-address = 1455 Bath Road
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 4V9
| classification = Max/Med/Min
| capacity = 700
| population =
| populationdate =
| opened = 1930
| closed =
| former_name = Preferred Class Penitentiary
| managed_by = Correctional Service of Canada
| director =
| governor =
| warden = Christine Thompson
| prisoners =
}}
Collins Bay Institution ({{langx|fr|Établissement de Collins Bay}}) is a multilevel correctional facility in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and falls under the supervision of Correctional Services of Canada.{{Cite web|url = http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/institutions/001002-3003-eng.shtml|title = Collins Bay Institution|date = 2014-04-29|access-date = 2014-09-03|website = Collins Bay Institution|publisher = CSC}} The facility was opened in 1930,{{Cite web|url = http://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/default/index.cfm/history/|title = Canada's Penitentiary Museum|date = 2014-09-03|access-date = 2014-09-03|publisher = Canadian Penitentiary Museum}} and is now the oldest operational federal penitentiary in Ontario. The main prison is medium security, with a minimum security facility (formerly Frontenac Institution{{Cite web|url = http://pbc-clcc.gc.ca/victims/photos/Ontario/frontenac_1-eng.shtml|title = Frontenac Institution|date = 2008-11-15|access-date = 2014-09-03|website = pbc-clcc.gc.ca|publisher = CSC|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140806073546/http://pbc-clcc.gc.ca/victims/photos/Ontario/frontenac_1-eng.shtml|archive-date = 2014-08-06|url-status = dead}}) residing on the same property. A 96-bed maximum security unit is also operational.
History
Collins Bay Institution was opened in 1930 under the name "Preferred Class Penitentiary (Ontario)" to accommodate the growing number of inmates in the Ontario region. Inmates from Kingston Penitentiary, only 2 km away, assisted in the construction of the new prison.{{Cite web|url = http://www.penitentiarymuseum.ca/default/index.cfm/history/|title = Canada's Penitentiary Museum|date = 2014-09-04|access-date = 2014-09-04|website = Canada's Penitentiary Museum}} The facility was built to further the government strategy of creating a graduated tier of penalties, that placed offenders in levels of security corresponding to the crime.{{Cite web|url = http://historicplaces.ca/media/17373/2001-096%28e%29administrationbuilding%28a1%29.pdf|title = BUILDING A1, COLLINS BAY PENITENTIARY|date = 2002-09-12|access-date = 2014-09-04|website = HistoricPlaces.ca|publisher = Parks Canada}} The main building (A-1) was built in the Canadian Chateau style, and has steeply pitched red metal roofing. Dormers are symmetrically placed across the front and rear, with pointed towers at the corners.{{Cite web|url = http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=3296|title = Historic Places of Canada - Collins Bay A-1|date = 2005-07-25|access-date = 2014-09-04|website = HistoricPlaces.ca|publisher = Parks Canada}} The center tower is much taller than the others, with a steeple on top. Local Kingston Ontario residents have opted to informally call this structure "Disneyland North", due to its castle-like resemblance.{{Cite web|url = http://www.boldts.net/Kingston/6.shtml|title = Kingston - The Penitentiaries|date = 2011-06-08|access-date = 2014-09-04|website = boldts.net|publisher = Hans Boldt & Sylvana Grisonich-Boldt}} Collins Bay Institution has a long history of violence,{{Cite web|url = http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=9a6f84bf-ff9a-435b-9b86-efb171c41961|title = Mongeon killed day after failed transfer|date = 2008-09-16|access-date = 2014-09-08|website = Canada.com|publisher = Postmedia|last = Dimmock|first = Gary}} and unrest.{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19370922&id=noAtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QJkFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4187,2851030|title = Prison sitdown strike staged at Collins Bay|work = The Montreal Gazette |access-date = 2014-09-08}} "The Bay" or "CBI" has the moniker of "Gladiator School",{{Cite web|url = http://www.thewhig.com/2008/10/28/collins-bay-staff-file-complaints-over-new-unit|title = Collins Bay staff file complaint|date = 2008-10-08|access-date = 2014-09-08|website = thewhig.com|publisher = Sun Media|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140908223245/http://www.thewhig.com/2008/10/28/collins-bay-staff-file-complaints-over-new-unit|archive-date = 2014-09-08|url-status = dead}} in reference to frequent deadly clashes between inmates.
Living units
The first living unit (cell block B-1 built in 1932) was a rectangular, two-story structure. It consists of limestone, and has a mansard roof. It has half-circle windows on the outer walls, and cell enclosures confined to the centre of the building. It was the first building erected within the walls of the prison, and signified a permanency to local residents.{{Cite web|url = http://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2658|title = Historic Places of Canada - Collins Bay B-1|date = 2002-09-12|access-date = 2014-09-04|website = HistoricPlaces.ca|publisher = Parks Canada}} A further 3 similar cell blocks were constructed over the next 20 years (B-2, B-3 and B-4). The blocks were referenced as "1 Block, 2 Block, 3 Block & 4 Block" by staff and inmates.{{Cite news|url = http://www.ucco-sacc.csn.qc.ca/Documents/UCCO-SACC/Ontario/documents/Archives/What_s_new_Archive/2008/2008-09-26.pdf|title = Collins Bay and the opening of new units|last = Hughes|first = Graham|date = 2008-09-26|work = UCCO-SACC-CSN|access-date = 2014-09-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140905234457/http://www.ucco-sacc.csn.qc.ca/Documents/UCCO-SACC/Ontario/documents/Archives/What_s_new_Archive/2008/2008-09-26.pdf|archive-date = 2014-09-05|url-status = dead}} As of 2014, there are 32 buildings within Collins Bay Institution.{{Cite web|url = http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dfrp-rbif/pn-nb/09441-eng.aspx|title = Collins Bay Institution - Medium/Maximum|date = 2014-09-04|access-date = 2014-09-04|website = Treasury Board of Canada|publisher = Treasury Board of Canada}} The structure of the B-1 building remains standing and is recognized as a federal historic building.{{Cite web |title=HistoricPlaces.ca - HistoricPlaces.ca |url=https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=2658 |access-date=2022-10-25 |website=www.historicplaces.ca}} Buildings 6-9, which are of a hub-and-spoke design, were added in 2008,{{Cite web |url=http://www.ucco-sacc.csn.qc.ca/Documents/UCCO-SACC/Ontario/documents/Archives/What_s_new_Archive/2008/staff%20-%20inmates%20and%20the%20public%20at%20risk.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905213256/http://www.ucco-sacc.csn.qc.ca/Documents/UCCO-SACC/Ontario/documents/Archives/What_s_new_Archive/2008/staff%20-%20inmates%20and%20the%20public%20at%20risk.pdf |archive-date=2014-09-05 |url-status=dead }} and Building 11 in 2014.{{Cite news|url = http://www.kingstonthisweek.com/2010/10/14/prison-expansions-ahead-for-millhaven-collins-bay|title = Prison expansion ahead for Millhaven & Collins Bay|last = KTW Staff|date = 2010-10-14|work = The Kingston Whig Standard - Sun Media|access-date = 2014-09-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140905234434/http://www.kingstonthisweek.com/2010/10/14/prison-expansions-ahead-for-millhaven-collins-bay|archive-date = 2014-09-05|url-status = dead}} Building 11 is a 3500 sq. m. maximum security unit that can accommodate the overflow of inmates after the Kingston Penitentiary closed in 2013.{{Cite news|url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/kingston-penitentiary-closes-its-doors-as-canadas-most-famous-prison/article14598900/?page=all|title = Kingston Pen - Canada's most famous prison closes|last = Cameron|first = Stevie|date = 2013-09-29|work = The Globe & Mail|access-date = 2014-09-04}}
Notable inmates
- Lorne Edgar Campbell, outlaw biker and gangster.{{sfn|Edwards|2013|p=166-167}}
- Gary Comeau, one of the Port Hope 8.{{sfn|Lowe|2013|p=358}}
- Daniel Chi-Kwong Wong, conspirator in the murder of Bich-Ha Pan and attempted murder of Hann Pan masterminded by Jennifer PanGrimaldi, Jeremy. A Daughter's Deadly Deception: The Jennifer Pan Story. Dundurn Books, November 12, 2016. {{ISBN|1459735250}}, 9781459735255 p. [https://books.google.com/books?id=fHlODQAAQBAJ&pg=PA312 312]. "Daniel Wong is being held in Collins Bay[...]"The jail is sometimes referred to as "Disneyland North"[...]"
- Bernie Guindon, outlaw biker and gangster.{{sfn|Edwards|2013|p=166-167}}
- Harley Davidson Guindon, outlaw biker.{{sfn|Edwards|2017|p=236}}
- Billy Knight, the leader of the 1971 Kingston Penitentiary riot.{{sfn|Fogarty|2021|p=11}}
- Barrie MacKenzie, one of the leaders of the Kingston Penitentiary riot.{{sfn|Fogarty|2021|p=290}}
- Jeff McLeod, one of the Port Hope 8.{{sfn|Lowe|2013|p=365}}
- Richard Sauvé, one of the Port Hope 8.{{cite news |last1=Christie |first1=Erin |title=Prisoner's Rights activist tells tales of injustice |url=https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/news/prisoners-rights-activist-tells-tales-of-injustice/ |access-date=15 October 2020 |publisher=Vernon Morning Star |date=8 February 2018}}
- Brent Taylor, of the Squamish Five.
Books
- {{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Peter |title=Unrepentant The Strange and (Sometimes) Terrible Life of Lorne Campbell, Satan's Choice and Hells Angels Biker |date=2013 |publisher=Vintage Canada |location=Toronto |isbn=9780307362575}}
- {{cite book |last=Edwards |first=Peter |title=Hard Road: Bernie Guindon and the Reign of the Satan's Choice Motorcycle Club |location=Toronto |publisher=Random House |year=2017 |isbn=978-0345816108}}
- {{cite book |last1=Fogarty |first1=Catherine |title=Murder on the Inside The True Story of the Deadly Riot at Kingston Penitentiary |date=2021 |publisher=Biblioasis |location=Windsor |isbn=9781771964029}}
- {{cite book |last1=Lowe |first1=Mick |title=A Conspiracy of Brothers: A True Story of Bikers, Murder and the Law |date=2013 |publisher=Vintage Canada |location=Toronto |isbn=978-0345813169}}