The prison has separate buildings designated as special jail and sub-jail meant for short-term convicts and people on trial, respectively.

Thrissur was the capital of the Kochi Kingdom for a long time hence the State Prison was located here.

The original Thrissur Prison existed in front of Sri Vadakkumnathan Temple around 300 years ago.

Parukutty Nethyaramma Consort Queen of Kochi and Wife of Maharaja Rama Varma were handed over to establish the new prison at Viyyur.

Later much of this original land went into use for other state purposes such as All-India Radio, Television, a police training facility, Fire Force center etc.

Besides the prisoners blocks, there are separate buildings such as the kitchen, stores, manufactory section, library, hospital ward, prayer hall (consists of temple, church and mosque) and outside the prison the barrack hall, staff mess, staff canteen and cattle sheds etc.