Geoffrey James | Inside Kingston Penitentiary

Inside Kingston Penitentiary documents photographer Geoffrey James’ exploration of the maximum-security prison, which closed in 2013 after 178 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 landscapes that have 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 or mining sites. In this project, James addresses the human presence and the oppressive nature of carceral space. Inside Kingston Penitentiary is a rare glimpse into an out-of-bounds institution, providing both historical documentation and a personal response through visually and emotionally complex photographs.