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And Other Misadventures Of The Female Prisoners Of The St Lawrence Market: A Comprehensive Historical Account

Ivan Cox

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Published in The Flood: And Other Misadventures Of The Female Prisoners Of The St Lawrence Market

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The bustling St. Lawrence Market, a vibrant hub of commerce and culinary delights in Toronto, Canada, holds a hidden history within its walls—a tale of hardship, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of women. For decades, the market's basement served as a makeshift prison, housing female inmates who faced unimaginable hardships and injustices.

The Genesis of the Market Prison

The St. Lawrence Market was established in 1803 as a public market to serve the growing city of York (now Toronto). However, it wasn't until 1834 that the basement of the South Market Building was converted into a prison to alleviate overcrowding in the city jail. The conditions in this improvised prison were deplorable, with limited ventilation, sanitation, and sunlight.

The Flood: and other misadventures of the female prisoners of the St. Lawrence Market

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Life Behind Bars

The inmates of the market prison were primarily women accused of petty crimes, such as prostitution, drunkenness, and vagrancy. They were often arrested during police sweeps of the city's slums. Upon their arrival at the prison, the women were subjected to a degrading process of being stripped, shaved, and issued coarse prison garb.

Inside the prison, the inmates lived in cramped and unsanitary cells, often packed together with as many as 12 women in a single room. They had no access to clean water, toilets, or proper bedding. Disease and illness were rampant, and many women suffered from respiratory infections, malnutrition, and mental distress.

Unjust Sentencing and Exploitation

The sentences imposed on the female inmates were often harsh and disproportionate to their crimes. Many women were imprisoned for extended periods for minor offenses, while others were held without trial or conviction. This injustice was exacerbated by the fact that the prisoners had little legal recourse and were often at the mercy of corrupt officials.

The prison also became a source of exploitation for unscrupulous individuals. Some officials charged inmates exorbitant fees for basic necessities, such as food and water. Others forced the women to engage in prostitution or other illicit activities to line their own pockets.

Voices from the Past

Despite the hardships they endured, some of the female inmates left behind written accounts of their experiences in the market prison. These貴重なdocuments provide invaluable insights into their lives and the harsh realities they faced.

One such account is the autobiography of Mary Agnes Fleming, who was imprisoned in the market prison in the 1840s. Fleming described the "filth, stench, and vermin" that characterized the prison and the "inhuman treatment" inflicted upon the inmates.

Another inmate, Eliza Courtney, wrote a letter to the mayor of Toronto in 1856, pleading with him to improve the conditions in the prison. Courtney recounted the suffering of the women, describing their "wretched and wretchedness" and the "wretched and wretched bowels" that plagued them.

The Abolition of the Prison

The outcry from inmates and concerned citizens eventually led to a public inquiry into the conditions of the market prison in 1858. The inquiry found the prison to be "a disgrace to the city" and recommended its closure.

In 1860, the market prison was finally abolished, and the female inmates were transferred to the new provincial penitentiary in Kingston. However, the legacy of the market prison continued to haunt the city for many years to come.

Reckoning with the Past and Remembering the Victims

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the injustices suffered by the female inmates of the St. Lawrence Market prison. In 2014, a memorial plaque was erected outside the market to commemorate the women who were held captive there.

Today, the St. Lawrence Market stands as a vibrant reminder of the city's history but also as a testament to the resilience and suffering of the forgotten women who once walked its halls.

The story of the female prisoners of the St. Lawrence Market is a complex and heartbreaking account of injustice, resilience, and the human spirit. Their experiences shed light on the challenges faced by marginalized women in the past and continue to resonate with us today.

By remembering the women who suffered within the market prison's walls, we can honor their memory and work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.