Abstract
As a form of dark tourism or thanatourism (Knudsen 2011) visits to penal history museums have gained popularity in many countries across the world (Ross 2012), including Canada (Walby and Piche 2015a). Contributing to cultural studies literature on museums (e.g. Tan 2012; Newman and McLean 2004) and penal heritage sites (e.g. Welch 2015; Wilson 2008), we examine the role that hauntings and ghosts play at Canadian penal history sites. Gordon (2011: 2) defines hauntings as expressions in which “a repressed or unresolved social violence is making itself known.” As mediums for hauntings, ghosts captivate believers, as well as sceptics, social theorists, and lay persons (Holloway and Kneale 2008; Gordon 2008; Jones 2001). For example, Jeremy Bentham—the author of infamous ideas for imprisonment including the Panopticon—disbelieved in ghosts, all the while remaining terrified of them.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
