Captive Labour

Captive Labour: Exploring Labour Within Canadian Penitentiaries co-curated by Sephra Lamothe and Camilla Leonelli Calzado highlights the historical and contemporary impacts of captive labour within North America. It focuses on the Kingston Penitentiary, a federal facility in Ontario that operated between 1835-2012. While the government’s intention behind developing labour programs for incarcerated individuals was to reform and educate, these programs have primarily benefited those already in positions of power, while simultaneously disempowering marginalised populations. The historical experiences of convicts in North America, who produced shoes and clothing, vividly illustrate the ongoing exploitation faced by their present-day counterparts.

Displayed at the Catalyst from November 4, 2022 to November 30, 2022.

Close up of two shoes, two hammers and two photos in a glass case

Photo taken by Ben Harley

Prison labour still exists. It continues to be a pillar of the Canadian Penitentiary system. Although prisoners work long hours, their compensation remains far lower than Canada’s minimum wage. The Canadian minimum wage is $15.55/hour, but most prisoners in the Canadian system make between $5.25-$6.90/day (CSC, CD730). This compensation pales in comparison to the value of their work. In 2020, inmates produced approximately $43 million in revenue from goods and services. They were expected to generate $70 million, but the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic affected production and sales (CSC, 2020-21 Departmental Results Report).

Brown suede oxford men’s shoe made by incarcerated peoples

A black leather oxford shoe handmade by an incarcerated person on a grey background

Five wrenches of varying sizes laid on a grey background, all of the wrenches have some rust

Close up of two pairs of children’s moccasins and one pair of tiny moccasins created by incarcerated people

Close up of shoe making tools in a glass case

Industrial Shoe — Dept sign painted on a wall. The letters are in thick black blocky letters.

1949 photo of a mailroom from Canada’s Penitentiary Museum mounted on a wire gate

A selection of photos taken by Ben Harley during a research trip to Kingston Penitentiary.

Close up of breast pocket on 1930s replica prison uniform

Close up of sleeve detailing on a 1930s replica of a prison uniform

Close-ups of 1930s prison uniform reproduced by Camilla Leonelli Calzado.

Mannequin wearing a replica of a prison uniform next to three tv screens one on top of the other displaying prison labour facts

Captive Labour quotes and facts slideshow created by Natalie Welsh.