The prison, on a 1,105-acre (447 ha) plot of land, is operated by the Virginia Department of Corrections.

The facility opening allowed for the subsequent closure of the Virginia State Penitentiary in downtown Richmond.

[citation needed] The execution chamber moved from the former state penitentiary to Greensville in 1991.

In 1995, a minimum-security work camp for low-risk inmates was constructed adjacent to the main complex.

There have been 111 executions by electrocution or lethal injection that have taken place in the L Building, located at the rear of the facility.