Having purchased a suitable site, covering 11 acres, and a quarry from which to obtain the building stone, forced-labour for the construction process was imported in the Spring of 1873 in the form of 20 prisoners from Fort Madison.

The architects were William Foster (1842-1909) and Henry Franz Liebbe (1851-1927), who produced an unusual design in the Scottish Baronial Revival style,[2] the building having "massive outer walls and crenelated towers that give it the appearance of a medieval fortress".

Supporting the Treatment and Security functions of the prison there is also a comprehensive program of religious services, physical, and creative activities.

Religion Center: This offers an expanding variety of services, programs, and studies from multiple faith groups.

These include (listed alphabetically): Asatru, Buddhist, Christian (Catholic, Liturgical Protestant, Pentecostal & Gospel), Jehovah's Witnesses, Moorish Science Temple of America, Muslim (Sunni), Nation of Gods and Earths, Native American sacred ceremonies, Satanist, and Wicca.