The jail used in the movie is the actual Allegheny County Jail that figures in the story. Designed by noted architect Henry Hobson Richardson, built between 1884-1888, it served as a jail until 1995 and is now used by the juvenile and family sections of the Common Pleas Court.
A very old, closed, unused bridge in the village of Elora, Ontario, was refurbished for the movie, and now serves as a pedestrian bridge there.
The Allegheny County Jail seen in the film ceased acting as a penitentiary in 1995 and now houses Allegheny County court system offices. It is preserved as an American National Historic Landmark.
Gillian Armstrong wanted to use the actual Allegheny County Jail to give the film historical authenticity.
Some of the inmates of the Allegheny County Jail acted as extras and background artists in the movie.