Millhaven Institution
Encyclopedia
Millhaven Institution is a maximum security prison
located in Bath, Ontario
. Approximately 400 inmates are incarcerated at Millhaven.
Opened in 1971, Millhaven was originally built to replace the area's other maximum security prison (Kingston Penitentiary
). A riot
at Kingston Penitentiary forced Millhaven to open prematurely. During the period of 1977–1984, a Special Handling Unit
(SHU) operated at Millhaven along with its general maximum-security population. A new Special Handling Unit was subsequently opened in Quebec. Millhaven also holds the federal intake assessment unit. Millhaven is one of two identically designed institutions in Canada; the other is located at Archambault, Quebec.
Main living units are designated by Alpha codes:
A Unit = Federal Intake and Assessment Unit- Ontario region (MAU) (ranges B, C, & D)
E Unit = Federal Intake and Assessment Unit- Ontario region (MAU) (and institutional workers)(ranges F, G, & H)
I Unit = Administrative Segregation/Special Needs
J Unit = Maximum Security Unit (MSU) (ranges K, L, & M)
N Area =
Main intersection and security control hub.
MAU (Millhaven assessment unit) houses inmates recently sentenced to federal time, in the Ontario region. They are assessed, and then placed in other prisons according to security needs. The average stay in MAU is about 3–6 months.
There are inmates of all types in MAU, and it is classified as integrated. (housing convicts serving time on all types of charges).
Federal parole violators are also returned to MAU to appear in front of the National Parole Board for disposition.
Certain special needs inmates (Protective Custody) have been known to spend years in MAU, as they may be in danger in other prisons (e.g. Patrick Kelly
, former RCMP SI officer who was convicted of murdering his wife in 1983.)
MSU (J unit) houses violent offenders, and is not integrated. (no sex offenders or informants) Many lifers are also housed in MSU. It is considered "gladiator school" and convicts who serve time there are revered in the criminal subculture.
Visitors are subject to search once on the property (both person and vehicle) and an ION scanner is used upon entry to detect drugs or other compounds. The visiting area is equipped with CCTV, and listening devices are in each table.
Inmates in the MAU (intake) are allowed only screened visits (behind glass).
On Oct. 12 2010, a correctional officer with a rifle shot a convict who refused orders to stop assaulting another prisoner in an outdoor recreation yard.
On Dec. 7 2010, 120 inmates in the assessment unit refused to return to their cells at the end of a recreation period. They began to barricade themselves in the area and guards fired shotguns and used chemical agents to gain control of the situation.
On Mar. 21 2011, inmate Jordan Trudeau was killed in an altercation. The event took place in the gymnasium area during exercise for "J" Unit (Maximum Security) inmates. Guards deployed chemical agents and fired shots to attempt gain control of the situation. Trudeau was killed by CSC staff via a shot form 9mm rifle to stop him from harming other inmates.
Two other inmates involved were wounded. The OPP Prison squad investigated the incident, and found CSC staff acted properly.
UPDATE: Convicted murderer of Toronto teen Stephanie Rengel (David Bagshaw, 21) was charged with attempted murder in regards to this (Jordan Trudeau) incident. He is an inmate at Millhaven (MSU) and was involved in the attack on another inmate that forced guards to fire shots. Bagshaw and another inmate (the attackers) were shot to stop them from assaulting a third inmate.
A manager at Millhaven (used by the Hells Angels to smuggle in drugs) was found dead August 21st 2011. David Martin was arrested in August 2010, and charged with smuggling various narcotics into Millhaven.
s. It has been dubbed "Guantanamo North".
" by The Tragically Hip
refers to an escape from the prison. The opening lines of the song say "Twelve men broke loose in '73, from Millhaven maximum security." There was such an escape, but the rest of the song alludes to fiction.
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
located in Bath, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Approximately 400 inmates are incarcerated at Millhaven.
Opened in 1971, Millhaven was originally built to replace the area's other maximum security prison (Kingston Penitentiary
Kingston Penitentiary
Kingston Penitentiary is a maximum security prison located in Kingston, Ontario between King Street West and Lake Ontario....
). A riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
at Kingston Penitentiary forced Millhaven to open prematurely. During the period of 1977–1984, a Special Handling Unit
Special Handling Unit
The Special Handling Unit is Canada's highest security prison. It is co-located with the Ste-Anne-des-Plaines Institution and the Regional Reception Centre, at the Correctional Service of Canada complex at Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec . As of 2008, there were 90 prisoners at the SHU...
(SHU) operated at Millhaven along with its general maximum-security population. A new Special Handling Unit was subsequently opened in Quebec. Millhaven also holds the federal intake assessment unit. Millhaven is one of two identically designed institutions in Canada; the other is located at Archambault, Quebec.
Living units
Millhaven consists of three main living units, a segregation unit and a hospital wing. There are approx. 120 men per unit. Units have two levels. Ranges are double sided and have hydraulically locking metal doors, housing two inmates per cell. The ranges/cells are designated by alphanumeric code (i.e. B1, H2 etc.)Main living units are designated by Alpha codes:
A Unit = Federal Intake and Assessment Unit- Ontario region (MAU) (ranges B, C, & D)
E Unit = Federal Intake and Assessment Unit- Ontario region (MAU) (and institutional workers)(ranges F, G, & H)
I Unit = Administrative Segregation/Special Needs
J Unit = Maximum Security Unit (MSU) (ranges K, L, & M)
N Area =
Main intersection and security control hub.
MAU (Millhaven assessment unit) houses inmates recently sentenced to federal time, in the Ontario region. They are assessed, and then placed in other prisons according to security needs. The average stay in MAU is about 3–6 months.
There are inmates of all types in MAU, and it is classified as integrated. (housing convicts serving time on all types of charges).
Federal parole violators are also returned to MAU to appear in front of the National Parole Board for disposition.
Certain special needs inmates (Protective Custody) have been known to spend years in MAU, as they may be in danger in other prisons (e.g. Patrick Kelly
Patrick Kelly
Patrick Kelly may refer to:* Patrick Kelly , British, best known for his Oriental Metrology* Patrick Kelly , Union officer in the U.S...
, former RCMP SI officer who was convicted of murdering his wife in 1983.)
MSU (J unit) houses violent offenders, and is not integrated. (no sex offenders or informants) Many lifers are also housed in MSU. It is considered "gladiator school" and convicts who serve time there are revered in the criminal subculture.
Security
The perimeter is surrounded by a double 30-foot razor fence, and has observation towers at the corners. There is a 4-foot "warning fence" inside the perimeter of the exercise yard, that acts as a boundary inmates cannot cross without deadly force being used. Armed patrol vehicles with Colt Canada C7 rifles and parabolic microphones are on guard 24/7. There are motion sensors in the outlying property , and multiple CCTV units throughout.Visitors are subject to search once on the property (both person and vehicle) and an ION scanner is used upon entry to detect drugs or other compounds. The visiting area is equipped with CCTV, and listening devices are in each table.
Inmates in the MAU (intake) are allowed only screened visits (behind glass).
Violence
Over the years "Thrill Haven" has seen its share of violence. J unit is considered one of the most dangerous places in Canada's prison system. The most unruly inmates are often housed there. On average, there are 5 inmate murders per year. (source: Corrections Canada)On Oct. 12 2010, a correctional officer with a rifle shot a convict who refused orders to stop assaulting another prisoner in an outdoor recreation yard.
On Dec. 7 2010, 120 inmates in the assessment unit refused to return to their cells at the end of a recreation period. They began to barricade themselves in the area and guards fired shotguns and used chemical agents to gain control of the situation.
On Mar. 21 2011, inmate Jordan Trudeau was killed in an altercation. The event took place in the gymnasium area during exercise for "J" Unit (Maximum Security) inmates. Guards deployed chemical agents and fired shots to attempt gain control of the situation. Trudeau was killed by CSC staff via a shot form 9mm rifle to stop him from harming other inmates.
Two other inmates involved were wounded. The OPP Prison squad investigated the incident, and found CSC staff acted properly.
UPDATE: Convicted murderer of Toronto teen Stephanie Rengel (David Bagshaw, 21) was charged with attempted murder in regards to this (Jordan Trudeau) incident. He is an inmate at Millhaven (MSU) and was involved in the attack on another inmate that forced guards to fire shots. Bagshaw and another inmate (the attackers) were shot to stop them from assaulting a third inmate.
Controversy
Drug-smuggling Millhaven prison worker found deadA manager at Millhaven (used by the Hells Angels to smuggle in drugs) was found dead August 21st 2011. David Martin was arrested in August 2010, and charged with smuggling various narcotics into Millhaven.
Corcan
Millhaven MSU (maximum security) inmates can gain employment in the CORCAN industries shop. Furniture for federal government offices is fabricated there. Inmates receive a small weekly wage for this work. (approximately $20).Legend
Stephen Reid (bank robber of "the stopwatch gang" fame) stated that he was told by a native inmate whilst incarcerated at Millhaven in 1971 (upon opening), that it was built on a native burial ground. This meant the prison would be forever cursed, and a place of turmoil.Terrorists
In April 2006, a new division was created to house foreign citizens being held on security certificateSecurity certificate
In Canadian law, a security certificate is a mechanism by which the Government of Canada can detain and deport foreign nationals and all other non-citizens living in Canada...
s. It has been dubbed "Guantanamo North".
Popular culture
The song "38 Years Old38 Years Old
"38 Years Old" is a song by Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, released as a single from the band's debut studio album, Up to Here. The song was written in Memphis during their recording of the album. It is a fictional account of a real-life escape from Millhaven Institution in the band's...
" by The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
refers to an escape from the prison. The opening lines of the song say "Twelve men broke loose in '73, from Millhaven maximum security." There was such an escape, but the rest of the song alludes to fiction.