In the shadow of St. John’s harbor sits a crumbling Victorian-era fortress that has housed inmates since 1859. Her Majesty’s Penitentiary, one of Canada’s oldest and most notorious correctional facilities, may finally be entering its final chapter as Newfoundland and Labrador officials confirm significant progress on its long-awaited replacement.
The 165-year-old facility, with its weathered stone walls and outdated infrastructure, has been the subject of scathing criticism for decades. Correctional officers describe working conditions as dangerous and antiquated, while inmates endure cramped cells, inadequate ventilation, and facilities that mental health experts have deemed “counterproductive to rehabilitation.”
“This institution belongs in a museum, not as a functioning part of our justice system,” said Robert Jenkins, a former correctional officer who served at the penitentiary for 22 years. “The physical limitations of the building make it impossible to implement modern correctional practices.”
Provincial Justice Minister Sarah Strickland announced yesterday that the replacement project has moved to the final design phase, with construction expected to begin by early 2026. The new facility, planned for a location approximately 20 kilometers west of St. John’s, will increase capacity from the current 145 beds to 216 and incorporate modern rehabilitation spaces.
“The replacement represents not just a new building, but a philosophical shift in how we approach corrections,” Strickland said during the announcement. “Our focus is creating an environment that prioritizes rehabilitation while maintaining necessary security standards.”
The $300 million project has faced numerous delays since first being proposed in 2014. Financial constraints, changing political priorities, and disagreements over the facility’s location repeatedly pushed back the timeline. A 2022 report from the provincial auditor general criticized the “persistent failure to address the deteriorating conditions” at the current facility.
Indigenous advocates have welcomed the development but emphasize the need for culturally appropriate spaces. “Approximately 30 percent of inmates at Her Majesty’s are Indigenous, despite representing just 9 percent of the provincial population,” noted Ellen Francis of the Indigenous Justice Coalition. “The new facility must incorporate dedicated spaces for traditional healing practices and culturally informed rehabilitation programs.”
The aging penitentiary has witnessed several high-profile incidents in recent years, including a 2023 riot that resulted in significant damage to one wing and highlighted the facility’s security vulnerabilities. A subsequent investigation revealed that overcrowding and inadequate mental health services contributed to the unrest.
Dr. Marcus Powell, a corrections policy expert at Memorial University, believes the replacement is long overdue but cautions against simply building a larger version of the same model. “The evidence is clear that massive institutional settings don’t produce the best outcomes. The design needs to prioritize smaller living units with appropriate staffing ratios and genuine access to rehabilitation services.”
The provincial government estimates the new facility will create approximately 380 construction jobs and ultimately employ 210 full-time staff, representing a 40 percent increase from current staffing levels at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary.
As planning moves forward, questions remain about the future of the historic waterfront property once the penitentiary closes. Heritage preservation groups have advocated for adapting portions of the structure into a museum or educational facility that acknowledges its complex legacy in Newfoundland’s history.
As Canada continues to grapple with correctional reform and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, will this new facility truly represent a break from the punitive approaches of the past, or merely transplant outdated philosophies into a more modern container?
