The building was located on Øster Voldgade, opposite the present day National Gallery.

A distinction was made between "honest" and "dishonest" prisoners, the latter being those who had been beaten at the whipping post (Danish: Kag), a punishment which was not just corporal but associated with loss of honor.

[3] In 1783 the institution was dramatically expanded when the Greater Stocks House, with a capacity for 600 "slaves", was opened next to the old building.

[4] On 30 December 1771 the use of "severe examination" (torture) was abolished by Johann Friedrich Struensee but it was reintroduced after his fall.

On 1 April 1860 the Stocks House was closed by the Ministry of Justice, prisoners were transferred to the Vridsløselille State Prison which had been constructed in accordance with the Philadelphia System.