A personal photographic-essay exploring Kingston Penitentiary, the former maximum-security prison, often referred to as "Canada's Alcatraz". Inside Kingston Penitentiary documents photographer Geoffrey James' exploration of the former maximum-security prison, which closed in 2013 after 180 years of operation. Before closure it was one of the oldest prisons in continuous use in the world. Having never before been extensively photographed, these unprecedented images depict the notorious prison during its final six months of operation. Geoffrey James typically uses large-format and panoramic film cameras to record landscape that has felt the impact of human activity. For over 30 years James has investigated Western society through two opposing themes: ideal spaces, such as parks and formal gardens, and the sites that record the impact of culture on nature, such as wastelands of mining sites. For this project James is dealing with both the human presence as well as the oppressive nature of carceral space. Inside Kingston Penitentiary is a rare glimpse into an out of bounds institution providing both a historical documentation and a personal insight through these visually and emotionally complex photographs. It will appeal to those interested in photography, sociology and Canadian history. 160 colour and b/w illustrations
