Toronto Doors Open 2013 Part 2

                                        The Don Jail Toronto Ontario Doors Open


Our next stop took us to the Riverdale area. We took a tour of the Don Jail. The majority of this building has been renovated and demolished in order to house the Bridgepoint Health Center. A section however has been preserved. The Don Jail was built between 1862-1865 and designed by architect William Thomas. What made this jail unique for its time was the fact that he took into account the mental wellbeing of the prisoners. He structured this place to have areas where light could come in. The rotunda has glass paneled ceiling and flooring in order for the natural light to shine through. This area was used for the movies Cocktail (Tom Cruise) and Chicago (Richard Gere). The prison also housed gallows at one time. The Don Jail was the one of the last correctional institutions to have hangings. The last hangings were in the early 1960's. Though the gallows were dismembered, one can still see the haunting faded image of where it once use to be. An arrow is imprinted on the floor surrounding by cigarette burns. This is the place the prisoner would stand before entering the gallows. He would take his last puff of smoke here as well. The visitors finish at the main entrance of the former jail. High above the arched entranceway is the face of 'father time'. This would be the first thing arriving prisoners would see- just to let them know that time is all they had.

Melissa Richardson

Contributor/photographer