It served as an arms deposit and garrison until 1907, when people arrested during the peasants' revolt were brought there.

On the night of November 25/26, 1940, the Jilava massacre was carried out by members of the Iron Guard, who killed 64 officials who had served under King Carol II.

Arriving detainees had to run a gauntlet of guards armed with bats and other weapons; after being beaten on the head and elsewhere, their clothes were inspected while they sat naked on the cement floor.

One bucket contained water for washing while another was a chamber-pot; the cells reeked of feces and urine.

[2] Holding an average of 3,000 prisoners, Jilava saw them beaten, tortured, starved and denied adequate medical care.

Returned to his cell wrapped in a blanket, the victim often suffered from split eardrums and broken ribs, while blood flowed from his mouth and nose.

[6] The Romanian government has nominated the facility, along with four other prisons used during the communist era, to be included as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.