More than 170 years after it was built, the old Chatham Jail still fascinates people.
More than 170 years after it was built, the old Chatham Jail still fascinates people.
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Just ask four former correctional officers who’ve conducted 90-minute tours of the old jail since July 1.
Loris Arthurton said he’s a little surprised at the popularity of the tours.
“As a matter of fact, we got sold out for August and we decided to extend it into September,” he said.
Visitors are fascinated by the history, Arthurton said.
“We started as an hour tour, but we were always taking an hour-and-a-half,” he said.
“We describe the functioning of the jail,” Arthurton said. “The way we worked in it, what the different areas were and what we did it them.
He added, “We just tell a few stories and answer questions.”
Returning to their former workplace was an eye-opener for Arthurton and fellow tour guides Phil Gavin, Dave Arnold and Bob Picard.
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Arnold, who retired two years ago from the South West Detention Center in Windsor, worked at the jail until it closed in 2014.
He welcomed the opportunity to take people on tours.
“I enjoy local history, I enjoy history in general,” Arnold said. “I always enjoyed working here, so I jumped at the chance.”
He said there seems to be an interest in general about old jails and prisons, because people don’t know what goes on behind the walls.
“There’s always humorous stories that actually happened, because if there wasn’t humor, it would be an awful tough time,” Arnold said.
Picard, who last worked at the jail about 25 years ago, said, “There’s a big difference of what I remember of the jail and what it’s like now.
“But, it still gives you the feeling of what an old jail is all about,” he added.
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Picard said he enjoys just how interested people about the jail.
He’s also surprised at the questions he is asked about hangings, escapes and riots.
“Normal activities in any jail,” Picard joked.
Gavin worked at the jail for 25 years and it has been about 25 years since he returned to the jail.
“The initial walk-through when we started this, I was just blown away at . . . the condition of the jail,” he said.
There was a lot of destruction after the filming of a horror film, including holes in the wall and fake blood splattered around, he said. But the cell and dormitory areas were not that bad.
Starting in September, tours will take place at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm on Wednesday and Friday and 2:30 pm on Saturday, Arthurton said.
Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite.ca by searching Chatham Jail Tours. The cost is $20 plus HST and ticket fee.
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