The prison was built between 1908 and 1912 by architect Шаблон:Ill to replace the aged Pied-du-Courant Prison. The prison currently houses male inmates sentenced to less than two years' imprisonment. It also houses prisoners awaiting trial.
It is the largest provincial prison in Quebec, with a maximum capacity of almost 1500 inmates.
The prison was also an execution site, where 85 hangings were carried out by Quebec between 1912 and 1960.
On Christmas Day, 2022, a 21-year old inmate died after being pepper sprayed by staff while wearing a spit hood in a shower and then left face down in a cell, despite a court having ordered his release on December 23. Investigations by La Presse and The Globe and Mail found that prison staff violated internal policies on the use of pepper spray. A unit manager and a guard were suspended. In addition to the standard coroner investigation, the incident is also subject to an investigation by the Sûreté du Québec and the provincial Ministry of Public Security.[1]
Albert Guay – mass murderer who conspired to blow up Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108; executed in 1951
Généreux Ruest – mass murderer who conspired to blow up Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108; executed in 1952
Marguerite Pitre – mass murderer who conspired to blow up Canadian Pacific Air Lines Flight 108; and last woman to be hanged in Canada; executed in 1953
