In 1909, it officially became the Borstal Institution, an experimental juvenile reformatory prison, following work started by Sir Evelyn Ruggles-Brise in 1902.

The prison later changed its role to operate as a remand centre for the Kent courts and sentenced category C and D adult males.

In March 2003, Rochester Prison was criticised by its Board of Visitors who said there were few employment or educational opportunities to gain useful qualifications or work experience.

Rochester is a Category C prison which holds convicted, sentenced adults and male young offenders aged 18 or over, in single or double cells, some of which have showers.

As a resettlement prison, it offers a wide range of vocational training (including painting and decorating, carpentry, stonemasonry, construction, and catering), work opportunities, and offending behaviour programmes.