The top floor, which had served as the jail's death row, has been restored to much of its original condition and daily tours were conducted until December 31, 2023.

Designed by Henry Horsey, the jail was the site of the hanging of Patrick J. Whelan on February 11, 1869, for the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee.

[6][7] The third (official) and final execution at the jail took place on March 27, 1946, when Eugène Larment, who had killed an Ottawa police detective, was hanged.

While open, the jail inflicted very inhumane conditions upon those imprisoned there and modern day excavations of the property have revealed numerous unmarked graves.

Inmates included murderers, the mentally ill, or those incarcerated for minor infractions such as drunk and disorderly conduct.