History:Â
Opened in 1957, Millbrook Correctional Centre became the Ontario Government's only maximum security facility. It would also see a significant amount of trouble during its 46 years of service.
On April 18, 2000, a Vietnamese immigration prisoner died in custody under what was called suspicious circumstances after allegedly being beaten by guards. This incident would then spark a hunger strike.
An OPSEU news letter dated October 19, 2001 reveals that the guards staged a work refusal because management of the prison withheld information about an impending plan for prisoners to take over the prison. When the prison management finally agreed to a search of the entire institution, several weapons were found in the building itself, and at least 15 shanks hidden in the main yard.
On April 1, 2002, prisoners broke into the control room for their wing and unlocked the other cells, allowing between 25 and 40 inmates out. They attempted to reach the outer yard, but after several hours without success, they returned peacefully to their cells.
In May, 2003, the prison was closed as part of the Ontario government's Infrastructure Renewal Program. Since then it has remained mostly inactive with the exception of filming a movie entitled Of Murder and Memory in the fall of 2007.
Personal Commentary:Â
This, I have to say, was one my more interesting explorations. I was there for a considerable time, and it seemed there was something even more interesting to see around each corner.
The entire thing was made sweeter by the fact that it was a limited-time opportunity, with the building being sealed up shortly after my visit.
