1859
Penitentiary built in St. John's
Her Majesty's Penitentiary was first built in 1859 in the east end of St. John's, near Quidi Vidi Lake. It is considered the oldest prison still operating in Canada.
December 12, 1964
Four inmates escape; RCMP constable killed
Four inmates got over a wall, stole a car and drove to Whitbourne. RCMP Constable Robert Westen Amey, 24, was shot dead there while trying to arrest one of them.
August 3, 2000
Remand inmate escapes during escorted visit
A convicted sex offender awaiting sentencing escaped while one officer escorted him on a visit to his sick mother. He was not restrained. He was recaptured near Long Harbour 25 days later.
August 23, 2000
Escape inquiry finds escort policies ignored
An internal investigation found that escort policies had been breached on the day of the escape and on earlier escorts. The Justice Minister announced discipline for managers and officers and named a new superintendent of prisons.
April 18, 2008
Minister orders independent prison review
After touring the penitentiary, Justice Minister Jerome Kennedy called its living conditions appalling. He asked two prison experts from outside the province to review the provincial prison system.
December 8, 2008
Decades of Darkness report released
A heavily redacted version of the prison review was made public. It described unsafe and unsanitary conditions and poor management, and it made 77 recommendations that the government committed to implement.
August 2013
Inmates take over a cell block
Police were called to help control a riot in which inmates seized a cell block and made threats against hostages and guards. Six inmates were charged, and the damage exceeded $100,000.
October 7, 2013
Province announces replacement prison
Justice Minister Darrin King announced that the province would replace the penitentiary with a new prison. He said it would go ahead even without federal help.
February 9, 2014
Chapel Riot
Several inmates attacked a rival inmate in the prison chapel, and nine inmates were charged. The Citizen's Representative later found the riot preventable, and the province paid the injured inmate a $45,000 settlement.
June 2014
Third riot in a year destroys a living unit
Inmates destroyed a living unit, causing about $100,000 in damage. It was the third riot at the prison within a year, and twelve inmates were charged.
May 28, 2018
Review ordered into deaths in custody
Justice Minister Andrew Parsons asked a retired police officer to review three recent deaths in provincial custody. Calls for a full public inquiry were turned down.
February 6, 2019
Deaths in Custody report made public
A heavily redacted version of the report was released with 17 recommendations, including replacing the penitentiary. Critics noted that many of the recommendations had already appeared in earlier reports.
November 6, 2019
Indigenous inmate dies after confrontation with guards
A 33-year-old Inuk man in protective custody died after a confrontation with correctional officers, and the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide. Ten officers were charged in 2020, but a judge dismissed all homicide-related charges in December 2021.
October 21, 2021
Solitary confinement class action certified
A Supreme Court judge certified a class action by 70 provincial inmates. The inmates allege that the prison system kept using prolonged solitary confinement despite knowing the harm it causes.
December 28, 2023
Replacement prison plan abandoned
After spending more than $4 million on planning and design, the government dropped its plan for a new penitentiary. It said it would start over with a new request for qualifications.
