Stony Mountain Penitentiary

By
Ryan  and Benji 

Stony Mountain Penitentiary

Stony Mountain In The Making

Stony Mountain was built in the 1880's. In 1872 the Federal Government authorized setting up a penitentiary in Manitoba. It was opened in 1876. Stony Mountain's first warden was Colonel Sameul L. Bedson. On August 20th of the year 1873 in order of the council No.1111 southwest ¼ and the southeast ¼ of section 11-12-2 east were expropriated. Morriosn and Barclay of Guelph, Ontario were given a contract to build the penitentiary. James Livingston filed a homestead on southwest ¼ section. He hurried there and built a shack and piled up stones. He also laid in a supply of ammunition to take on anyone. When the engineers came to lay the penitentiary they talked to him being the watchman of the property, and no gunshots were fired. The contract to build Stony Mountain was $116,000. Extras brought the cost up to $125,000.

In the construction of Stony Mountain, bricks were used to build it. The stone basement was used first to build the foundation. The foundation was four feet underground and seven feet above. Three other buildings were built from this limestone also. They used one of the buildings to keep lumber dry and dry lumber. The second building was used as a workshop. The third building was used to eat and sleep for the workers. Afterwards, these 3 buildings became a duplex residence. A stable with turrets were used as "task" rooms.

It was built to house most indigenous inmates but now it holds all kinds of inmates. Poundmaker and Big Bear fought against theft of their land. They became some of the first inmates of Stony Mountain. Both were convicted and imprisoned for treason. About 30 years ago, the first nations people formed the majority of inmates.

Basic Information On Stony Mountain

Stony Mountain is an institute for only men. It is located 25 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Stony Mountain is a medium-security facility. The rated capacity of the institute is about 490 inmates. It is served by highway No. 7 which leads northwest of the city of Winnipeg. In segregation areas, inmates that are taken out of their cells must have to guards present. The inmates are not allowed to walk in the common areas out of their cell, even if the common areas appear to be secured.

Stony Mountain is situated on the outcropping of limestone heaved up from flat plain. The outcropping consists of 3 separate hills. Together they from a horseshoe facing south. It is a mile across from east to west and a mile and half from north to south. On the west hill lies the penitentiary. Thirty-two homes are occupied by members of the "pen" staff. This district is known as the "reserve". The north hill is a quarry owned and operated since 1905 by the city of Winnipeg. On the same hill is "the village". A quarry owned and operated by the penitentiary is there.

Rockwood Penitentiary

Rockwood is a minimum-security penitentiary, which is adjacent to Stony Mountain penitentiary. It originally opened in 1962, it has been refurbished in 1996-97 to provide accommodations.

Number of Inmates By The Years

The Correctional Service of Canada Crest

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Last modified:  January 04, 2010