Prisoners faced harsh conditions at the Nicholas Street Jail

By Lysia Filotas, July 2017 

Before Ottawa's first jail became a hostel, it was housed in the basement of the city's new courthouse, on property donated by prominent landholder Nicholas Sparks.

In response to years of criticism about a lack of space in the existing jail, the Nicholas Street Jail, designed by architect Henry Horsey, began operating in 1862.  

Although the three-and-a half-storey building was designed to be imposing, prisoners were more intimidated by the appalling living conditions that accompanied time behind bars. Prisoners of the Nicholas Street Jail didn't have much to do besides aimlessly wander the gaol's corridors or wait for the next day in a cell that didn't have any heating, lighting, ventilation or toilets.

The Nicholas Street Jail was home to murderers, the mentally ill and those incarcerated for minor infractions such as drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Old records from the jail cite foul and argumentative language as reasons for imprisonment, especially if you were heard insulting or arguing in public.

Back in the early days, there were no separate laws for children. They faced the same charges as adults, although judges were more likely to go lenient on children, unless he or she was a repeat offender. All children under age 12 were housed in the women's side of the prison. The youngest prisoner at the Nicholas Street jail was just six years old.

It wasn't until the turn of the 20^th century that the Ottawa Children's Aid Society was in place to protect children. Prior to this time, mothers who were jailed would have to bring their children with them while they served their sentence. However, a judge was more likely to fine a woman rather than imprison her if she had a family.

Prison conditions were harsh and unsanitary. Freezing cold in winter and stifling hot in summer, the jail was a breeding ground for illness and disease. Many of the inmates died while incarcerated.

Beyond the small, uncomfortable prison cells lay the gallows, which served as a grim reminder to would-be criminals of the possible consequences of committing crimes.

Three people were hanged at the Nicholas Street Jail, the most well-known being Patrick James Whelan, who in 1869 was punished for the murder of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of the founding fathers of confederation. This was the last public execution performed in Canada and was witnessed by over 5,000 people.

In 1933, William George Seabrooke was hanged at the jail for shooting a garage service employee in a robbery that took place two years earlier.

The last death sentence carried out at the gaol was that of Eugene Larment. He was hanged in 1946 for the murder of Ottawa Police detective Thomas Stoneman.

After more than 100 years in operation, the Nicholas Street Jail, its doors were closed in 1972 due to the appalling living conditions. The inmates were moved to the newly-opened Ottawa-Carleton-Regional Detention Centre in Blackburn Hamlet.  Ironically, after the building was renovated and opened as a hostel in 1973 a new work program was offered to inmates to do some of the building maintenance.  

Today, the jail has been converted from a cold and dreary gaol to a bright and welcoming hostel. Despite this new-found use, much of the building remains undisturbed. Indeed, the gallows have been left in their original state and many of the prison cells have not been changed.

Hostellers and members of the public can go on guided tours to see for themselves the unpleasant conditions in which the prisoners lived.