The prison was designed by Robert Mills and was opened in 1811, this was designed to prevent what other prisons had failed to fire, destruction and the loss of life, and this was because it was built with brick, stone and vaulted interior ceilings of concrete. The building comprised of a basement and 2 floors. When the prison was first opened the wardens were located on the first floor and the a purpose built building next to the prison with a connecting tunnel. Cell blocks consisted of 4 individual cells and a fireplace, each block would consist of people who had committed a similar offence. In the basement was the workhouse, dining room and a place which led to the outside yard with was surrounded by a twenty foot wall. The maximum security cell was located on the second floor and had no fire place only a small window located high up the wall, this is where most of the condemned would spend there last night before being hung in the yard. The prison was originally built for 40 prisoners by 1965 it was bursting with 100, so it was closed. It is now open as a museum.

There are a few spirits that continue to roam here, ghosts have been seen in different parts of the building, voices have been heard & objects have moved by themselves and orbs have been seen.