Kingston Prison for Women Menu

Average weekly menu at the Prison for Women at Kingston Penitentiary during World War II.

During World War II, 21 women were interned: 17 German Canadians and 4 Italian Canadians. The women were held at the Prison for Women in Kingston, Ontario, and kept in a separate wing known as the Internment Quarters. It was thought that the prison would be more comfortable than a camp. Due to the small number of women internees, the prison was also less costly than constructing a women-only camp. Internees were held in cells in a separate wing of the Kingston Prison for Women known as the Internment Quarters. This was done to prevent them from intermingling with the general prison population. Internees were served three meals a day. Breakfast included prunes, cereal, toast and jam, coffee, tea and milk. Lunch and dinner consisted of soup or stew, meat or fish, vegetables and dessert. The women also received letters and care packages from family, as well from charitable organizations such as the International Red Cross, who sent the women Nestle chocolate bars.