Did You Know? Windsor Jail

The old Windsor Jail, located in Sandwich Town is a historic building that was built in 1925 following a fire that destroyed the old Essex County Jail. Since 1796 this facility was considered the fifth lock up to house inmates in the Windsor area.  

The jail originally housed what are called ‘gallows’ on the third floor, there was a trap door beneath a heavy iron ring anchored to the concrete ceiling. However, they ceased operation due to capital punishment being abolished in 1976. The jail closed in 2014, and prisoners were transferred to the new Southwest Detention Centre leaving a massive question mark on this piece of Windsor’s history.  

The old jail has also been known for being haunted and one of the most famous prisoners to be executed was Peter Beyack who is known for roaming the corridors. Legend has it that William Pope, of Chattanooga Tennessee, stated he saw the vision of another prisoner hanging and that the ghost made a habit of sharing the cell with him and scared him into making his getaway.  

A year following its closure, archaeologists found bones at the jail and believed that it belonged to Beyack as he was the only prisoner to be executed in the thirties.  

As of today, there are no plans to renovate it, leaving it empty and hollow.