#prison construction

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"The New Deal state meanwhile fueled a quantitative expansion of carceral institutions. The Public Works Administration, a creature of the National Recovery Administration, undertook the construction of prisons and jails at both the national and local levels. Through 1939 the PWA provided over $14 million to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, more than its assistance to the Post Office or to the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, or Interior. A PWA publication lamented the failure of federal prisons to meet the government’s penological standards and boasted of having financed “75 Federal prison projects . . . including new correctional institutions for short-term Federal prisoners in Colorado, Connecticut, Kentucky, Texas, and Indiana.” At the local level the PWA provided $24,478,700 for “126 nonfederal prisons and jails,” emphasizing a “tailor-made” approach to the “needs of the community” for jails no ess than schools and bridges. Upon learning of the pitiful lack of a courthouse Gainesville, Missouri, the object of a nationally known editorial cartoon, the PWA approved $16,380 for a courthouse and new jail. The PWA elsewhere replaced “disgraceful” jails and “cramped” police headquarters. Poor Barton County, Missouri, received assistance replacing its Reconstruction-era jail, lousy with “wet and moldy” cells, “rats, and mice.” The PWA graced Barton County with a “modern $36,363 structure,” and proudly improved prison infrastructure at Sing-Sing, Auburn, Joliet, and Atlanta.

Even more important was the WPA, which approved a $1.1 million improvement at Alcatraz and indeed furnished labor and funding to the building and renovation of 760 penal institutions—a fraction of the 40,000 buildings constructed and the 85,000 improved by the agency, but a considerable impact on the carceral state. At the federal level, WPAworkers built the National Training School for Boys from 1935 to 1937, employed 222 workers on Bureau of Prisons projects in June 1939, and accounted for $51,974 of Bureau spending through June 1943. The WPA also collaborated: with the CCC to build a juvenile correctional camp; with the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to improve a Framingham, Massachusetts, reformatory; and with the Federal Art Project in renovating the grounds for California’s Whittier State School for Boys. Most WPA carceral construction enlisted cooperation with states and localities. In its first few years, WPA labor built a jail for Somervell County in Glen Rose, Texas; assisted with jail renovations in Rutland, Vermont; helped improve Rikers Island and a civil prison in Brooklyn, New York; built a second addition to the Baca County Courthouse Annex in Spring- field, Colorado; and undertook major renovations of the Contra Costa County jail in Martinez, California. In 1936 the WPA helped renovate a detention facility in the Municipal Building in Pennsauken, New Jersey; provided $5,802 to jail construction in Kingfisher County, Oklahoma; and provided funding for a jail in Santa Cruz, California. In the late 1930s the WPA erected a new jail in Carbon Hill, Alabama; helped expand the Lincoln County jail in Canton, South Dakota; constructed the Trinity County Jail in Groveton, Texas; built the Peoria Jail in Arizona; and transformed the Victorian décor of a jail in Carlsbad, New Mexico, into an early Spanish aesthetic. In 1940 the Jefferson County Jail in Monticello, Florida, received WPA support, and as World War II raged the agency helped construct a Maries County courthouse and jail in Vienna, Missouri. From Ellicott City, Maryland; Pineville, Kentucky; and Jasper, Alabama—to Montrose, Colorado; San Francisco, California; and Lahaina, Hawaii—the WPA revamped the detention state from sea to shining sea.”

- Anthony Gregory, New Deal Law and Order: How the War on Crime Built the Modern Liberal State (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard Univervisity Press, 2024), p. 218-220.

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"Kent stresses security over luxury," Chilliwack Progress. August 8, 1979. Page 37.

"'Luxurious' Kent Institution officially opens," Chilliwack Progress. August 8, 1979. Page 12. --- Kent Institution opened its doors to several hundred people last Wednesday for the official dedication ceremonies. Those it was actually intended for will arrive later.

The maximum security prison complex, which cost $17.2 million to construct and about $1.8 million to equip, was described as "luxurious" by Solicitor General Allan Lawrence.

The federal minister in charge of the prison system stated the complex near Agassiz is one of a kind, that another like it will likely not ever be built. He denied it has become obsolete during the planning and construction phases of the past five years but said some of the concepts which have been included have changed.

Despite suggestions of luxury, the overriding need that has been built into the design of Kent Institution is tight security. It will house a maximum of 192 inmates and is considered the first basic step in closing out the British Columbia Penitentiary in New Westminster.

They will live in self-contained units with six cells per unit and four units per block. A total of eight 24-inmate living blocks make up the full live-in capacity.

Kent Institution will require about 217 staff. The annual operating budget will be $5.7 million, or $30,000 per inmate. Staff will include those in ad ministration and other daytime staff plus around the clock seven days per week security officers.

Six industrial shops are equipped to manufacture products from wood or metal. They can accommodate up to 70 inmates each work shift or 120 per day in two shifts.

There is also a large gymnasium, outdoor tennis courts and an outside courtyard which is surrounded on all sides by buildings. It includes evergreen trees and broad sidewalks, a big change from the traditional, dusty prison recreational yard.

Two 16 feet high chain-link fences surround the entire perimeter, topped by coiled barbed wire with small stainless steel

knives that are said to cut a prospective escapee to the bone if he makes contact.

Four towers sit on each corner of the institution site, manned by officers who will watch the perimeter at all times.

Inside a system of security tunnels will take correctional staff to particular parts of the prison without their having to associate always with inmates. Staff and inmates have their own dining halls, separated by a single door.

Time away from the shops and dining hall for inmates is spent in their living unit, watching one of two televisions provided per 24 inmates or participating in card or board games. Individual cells include a bed, desk, sink and flush toilet. Security is maintained with the use of closed circuit television sets.

Kent Institution will begin receiving its first inmates in mid-August and will reach its full complement by early next year.

Caption: PRESS CONFERENCE Opening of Kent Institution was followed with a press conference. Attending were, from left, federal commissioner of corrections Donald Yeomans, Solicitor-General Allan Lawrence and Public Works minister Erik Nielsen.

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"Whatever became of that new prison?" Vancouver Sun. October 8, 1970. Page 42. --- By SUSAN BECKER (Last of Two Articles) OTTAWA (CP) - In recent years the fate of the Kingston Prison for Wo-men, where most women with sentences of two years or more are sent, has become somewhat of a political football - and one major conflict between prison authorities has come to light.

In 1955, plans for a new women's prison at Colins Bay, west of Kingston, were announced. It was to accommodate a gradually increasing number of prisoners. Tenders were called and it was expected that construction would begin the next year.

But in May, 1965, it was re-ported that the government was delaying construction until it had received recommendations of a federal-provincial conference that was to study the April report by a committee on penal reform headed by Mr. Justice Gerald Fauteux of the Supreme Court of

Canada. Again, in 1964, then Liberal justice minister Lionel Chevrier, member of Parliament for Montreal Laurier, announced in his native Cornwall, Ont., that a new prison for women would be built there the next year. The minister had served the area as a member for Stormont from 1935 to 1954.

Although charges of political patronage were bandied about, government sources said the main reason for switching the penitentiary location was because it was to be a bilingual institution.

Nothing came of this decision, however, and in 1966 the then solicitor-general, Larry Pennell, under whose department the penitentiary then came, said a new cottage style women's penitentiary was on the drawing boards.

Two years later, Mr. Pennell, by then an Ontario Supreme Court justice. was quoted as saying he expected definite plans for a new women's prison to be disclosed soon. There was no doubt that a new prison was needed "and the sooner the better."

The cost and the dwindling, rather than the rising, number of women being imprisoned in the present penitentiary have probably provided some basis for the changes in ministerial tunes.

In the seven years that acting superintendent Ethel Boyce has been at the present women's prison, the peak number of prisoners was about 135, and this now has shrunk to a little more than half that number.

One informant said recently he thinks the idea of a new women's prison has been dropped as being too costly for the number of women it would serve. Another said a new women's prison is low in priority because of the more urgent need for men's prison facilities.

However in March Allen J. MacLeod, then commissioner of penitentiaries, told members of Parliament who had visited several correctional institutions including St. Vincent de Paul that "the "women's prison is the worst now."

During the 1960s, events at the prison itself caused political reverberations and a controversy affecting in varying degrees, prison staff, after-care workers and prisoners.

They came to a head with the resignation, in March, 1966, of Isabel Macneill.

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"$17 MILLION PROJECT AT MISSION: Work starts on new penitentiary," Vancouver Sun. June 12, 1970. Page 5. --- Sun Staff Reporter MISSION - Preliminary work has started here on a 817 million federal prison.

It is being cleared and graded on a sprawling 310-acre site, tucked away ina valley three miles north of here.

Tom Hall, western region director of federal penitentiaries, says: "The Mission penitentiary complex, as we call it. won't be anything like the grey bastille we now have in New Westminster."

He said federal public works department officials are presently examining 14 bids from Lower Mainland contractors to construct the roads and other below-ground services.

Solicitor-General George Mellraith has released a general summary of a five-year plan to complete the proposed $17 million (based on today's prices) penitentiary complex by 1975.

Hall warns the construction timetable is tentative, subject to spending approval from the federal treasury board and the B.C. labor situation.

But Hall thinks the recent on-the-spot visit to B.C. prison institutions by members of the House of Commons justice committee will likely spur Ottawa into maintaining schedule.

"The worst maximum security prison in Canada." was the verdict of some committee members after their tour of the New Westminster penitentiary.

Work on the main prison structure in the new complex here is expected to start in 1971, with the B.C. Reception Centre as one of the major buildings scheduled for completion by January. 1973 at an estimated cost of $2.65 million.

The big project - construction of the maximum security unit at an as yet undetermined cost is due to start some time in 1972.

Tentatively planned to hold 430 prisoners that unit is expected to take in its first inmates and put the old New Westminster pen out of business sometime in 1974.

Mission Mayor Neville Cox sees the penitentiary complex as a major economic boon to Mission district.

"It's not only the many jobs that its construction will prov ide. The completed and operating penitentiary complex. we have been advised, will ultimately provide more than 600 steady jobs," Cox said.

"It has always concerned me, too, that so many of our young people have to leave for other places to work once they've graduated. A modern penitentiary complex with its requirements these days for technical and more sophisticated type of operations, is going to provide some very worthwhile jobs for Mission's young men and women."

Caption: MODEL OF LAYOUT… shows open planning of penitentiary to replace New Westminster "bastille"

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"PLANS FOR THE NEW PROVINCIAL JAIL," Victory Daily Colonist. November 10, 1912. Page 16. ---- Most Modern Features of Penal Institutions Embodied in Designs Building Soon to Be Commenced ---- PACADE OF THE NEW PROVINCIAL JAIL TO BE ERECTED ON WILKERSON ROAD

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"ABANDON JAIL FARM IDEA FOR THE PRESENT," Hamilton Spectator. May 14, 1912. Page 1 & 16. --- Old Building Will Be Enlarged Instead ---- City Hard Up and Must Proceed Slowly ---- The jail farm idea get a severe setback this morning when the board of control practically decided that the city could do without such an institution for some years to come, and that the present jail, if properly renovated, would serve all necessary purposes. The controllers were unanimous that very little repairing would put the building in good condition, and it was decided to go and inspect it and see what repairs were necessary.

Controller Bailey stated that not much was necessary to put the building in good condition, and if that was done the jail would be good for many years to come.

"Yes, if we spend a few thousand dollars now in repairs we will have a Jail that will be practically good for all time," said Controller Allan.

Controller Gardner said the trouble was the taking into the jail of old men who should be sent to the house of refuge, and he would sooner see an addition built to the refuge if necessary, than the city go to the expense of putting up a new jail.

Controller Allan said that if the worst came to the worst, the city could build another separate building in front of the governors house, to relieve the congestion.

"I think it would be good thing for us to go and look over the jail and then we can see what amount of money will be needed to fix it up." said the mayor.

The suggestion agreed to and the inspection will be made tomorrow afternoon. $5,000 MORE REQUIRED It was the intention of the mayor and board of control to bring before the council last night the question of securing an extra $5,000 to be used in the construction of the public conveniences.

Through an oversight the matter was out brought up, and this morning it was discussed at the meeting of the board. It is the intention to consult the city treasurer and see if the extra cost can be financed by the city, but Controller Allan wanted to know what would become of the board of works this year, if the money was taken from its appropriation. He said would be necessary to go very slow, as large inroads had been made in the appropriation, owing to the increases to the lab laborers and teamsters.

The mayor said the contingent fund had not yet been touched, but there were other matters, such as the sick children's hospital, etc., which had to be considered.

Controller Jutten said there were some things which could be left over, the sick children's hospital, for in stance, until the people passed on it.

The mayor - The sick children's hospital proposition is a growing one: it has gone from an ordinary building to a fireproof one, and it is also increasing in accommodation.

"It will take several thousands of dollars to finance the children's shelter," said Controller Allan; "there, in sure to be a lot of repairs to do."

The mayor - We do no repairs at that price; the property is supposed to be in good condition.

CHILDREN'S SHELTER In connection with the Mcliwraith site for the children's shelter, Controller Allan said he and Controller Gardner and Ald. Morris met Mr. Mellwraith again yesterday and renewed the city's offer for the property. "He refused to accept it," sald the controller.

Cntroler Bailey - That means that if we will have to If we want it now that we will have to pay $9,500

The mayor - He won't get it with my vote. We have several from different places, and I think we should look at them all.

It was finally decided to devote a half day to go and inspect the various places.

COLLECTING WATER RATES That it would be good business the part of the city to make arrangements to have the branch banks accept payments of water rates, was the opinion of Controller Juten, who brought the matter before the board of control.

"The present central system is very inconvenient to people living in the eastern sections of the city and it is a great inconvenience to many to come up to to the city hall during working hours," he said.

Controller Allan agreed that it would be a good move, and said it would cost very little.

The other members of the board were also favorable that the matter be taken up, and a committee, including the mayor and Controller Bailey was appointed to go into the matter and see if a satisfactory arrangement can be made with the banks.

WANT TO COME HERE The board received a letter from Toronto, asking if there were any sports being held in Hamilton on Victoria day, to which the Britannia Naval brigade of that city could attend. The letter stated that the detachment was from 16 to 20 strong; would bring its field gun along, and wear the uniform of the British navy.

As there is no special attraction being held in the city on that date. Controller Bailey was instructed to take the matter up with the Societies' day committee, to see if the brigade could not be persuaded come up on July 1, instead. to

MAKE BOUNDARIES LIMIT The board looked over the map submitted by W. H. Burr, chairman of the Express Traffic association, in Toronto, in which the new boundaries within which express toll applies was shown. It showed the outside limits to be the bay on the north. Dundurn street on the west, the mountain on the south and Trolley street on the east. The former boundaries did not go any further west than Locke nor east of Sherman avenue.

The mayor said that if the map was not satisfactory the board could write to Mr. Burr and inform him so Controller Jutten said he thought the eastern boundary should be extended as far as Ottawa street, as there were quite a number of residents in that section who should be included.

The mayor said the companies claimed there was no business there to warrant the extension.

"If there is no business there they don't have to go." said Controller Bailey, but the boundary should be extended."

Controller Allan thought that all the city limits should be taken in. After further discussion the secretary was instructed to notify the chairman of the association that the eastern limit must be extended to Ottawa street, also recommending that a branch collection depot be established in the east end, where parcels could be left for delivery.

A GOOD SUGGESTION Controller Allan made a suggestion to the board that there were three or four spare wagons at the board of works yard which might be put to good use if horses were secured for them. He said they would be valuable to use in patching up the streets, and he asked the board to authorize the board of works to purchase three or four horses for that purpose.

The request was granted, and the mayor also suggested to Controller Allan that the department would do. well in securing a portable asphalting plant to use on the city streets. The controller will consider the proposition.

TENDER ACCEPTED The board considered the tenders for the two stores, 35 and 37 John street north, on the site for the new fire station, and accepted the offer of Benjamin Sutton for $210.

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"REPLACE OLD JAIL WITH PRISON FARM," Hamilton Spectator. August 1, 1912. Page 1. --- That Is Advice of Dr. Bruce Smith to Hamilton ---- Would Save City Money and Be Better For Prisoners ---- Toronto, Aug. 1. - That the city of Hamilton could purchase a hundred- acre farm, erect buildings to accommodate the present jail population and supply all the necessary equipment at a smaller expenditure of civic money than would be necessary to properly enlarge and repair the now overcrowded jail, is the confident belief of Dr. Bruce Smith, inspector of prisons.

The inspector is keeping in touch with the Hamilton situation, and he is prepared to strongly recommend that at Hamilton follow Toronto's example and place its jail population on the land.

"The Hamilton jail is seriously overcrowded at times," said Dr. Bruce Smith to the Spectator, "and the sanitary conditions as a result are in need of improvement. In my opinion it would cost in the neighborhood of thirty thousand dollars to alter the present building and provide sufficient accommodation for the growing jail population. I pointed out the need for more accommodation, and recommended a farm in my last report on the Hamilton institution. I reported that in view of the large and growing number of commitments to this jail every year it is now manifest that some further provision must be made for accommodation. The records indicate that at times there has been considerable overcrowding of the prisoners.

The attention of the jail committee should be called to the new act relating to industrial farms. An industrial farm might with great advantage be established at Hamilton. and the prisoners could be employed in such a manner as would make the farm largely self-sustaining.'

"Copies of the industrial farm act have been sent to the sheriff in order that the jail committee might become acquainted with the provisions of the act," said the inspector.

Dr. Bruce Smith believes that before long jails in cities will become only places of detention for those awaiting trial. The "criminal" population will, as now, be cared for at the Kingston penitentiary, the reformatory class will soon all be looked after at Guelph, and the drunks, disorderlies, vagrants and offenders of that comparatively harmless but annoying class will be set to work upon municipal farms.

"A farm situated somewhere near Hamilton - near enough to supply a market for garden and dairy produce - could easily be made to pay, and the prisoners would be employed in such surroundings as would give them a vastly better chance of getting a new grip upon things and making their lives worth while. I couldn't recommend it too strongly."

"Take the old people's home near St. Catharines," continued Dr. Smith. "The workers are mostly aged people who are unable to do a great deal, yet that institution is nearly self-sustaining. The time will come when the payments from the provincial treasury for the support of jail population will be reduced to a small figure through the development of this jail farm idea."

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"NEW BUILDINGS AT PENITENTIARY," Kingston Daily Standard. September 12, 1912. Page 1. --- 300 New Cells Are to be Constructed. --- Female Prison Almost Ready For Occupancy - New Roman Catholic Chapel. --- What with new and contemplated buildings the Portsmouth Penitentiary is a very busy place just now. The north, or old administration wing of the penitentiary, is now being rebuilt and will be turned into a cell wing to accommodate in the neighborhood of 300 cells, all of which will be fitted up in the latest improved style.

A new keeper's hall - a separate building - has been built; and a new Roman Catholic chapel is under course of construction. The latter will be over the prison kitchen and to the south of the Protestant chapel. Workmen are busy on it now and it will be finished this winter.

In this connection it is interesting to note that the new female prison is almost completed and will likely be occupied by Oct. 1.