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Kamloops Gaol (1890s) BC Archives (F-03634)

the west end of the building, an exercise
yard, 40 by 80 feet in extent, was enclosed
with a fence 16 feet high.8

The first hanging occurred in Kamloops in
November 1887. Albert Mallot was convicted
of murder and hanged at the back of the old log
house on Main Street.

The issue of segregation within the prison
population—first raised by a select committee
appointed in 1885—became a concern during
this era of corrections history. Mixing different
populations interfered with discipline and
caused disorder. It was also viewed as
contaminating youthful offenders.

Admission of remand prisoners to the Victoria
Gaol was viewed as problematic, because this
population was disruptive to the rest of the
gaol. A separate facility was recommended for
female offenders. Municipal prisoners, who
were kept in the provincial gaols, committed
fairly minor crimes such as non-payment of

fines.’

The issue of segregation was again raised in
1888 regarding the handling of juvenile
offenders in B.C. gaols. A select committee
appointed to investigate the condition and
operation of the Victoria Gaol recommended
segregation of youthful prisoners from older
ptisonets.

8 Ken Favrholdt, “Stone Walls did not this Prison Make: Brief History of Kamloops Jail, 1887-1918,” in The

Kamloops News, Nov. 28, 1986.

9 These offenders were supposed to be confined separately within the gaol (under an agreement made between
the municipality and provincial authorities). In practice, due to overcrowding, they were often mixed with
provincial prisoners. For an example, refer to the Vzctoria Municipality Act, 1876, section 14.

Era of Punishment (1871-1949)

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