Known to locals as Kota Jail, it was opened in 1883 to incarcerate criminals in the state of Johor, as well as those who had revolted against the British colonial government in Malaya.

On 30 August 2005, the prison's operations were relocated to Simpang Renggam in Central Johor,[3] due to an acute shortage of space.

With the pressing need to increase the prison's capacity over the years, buildings were added, and existing ones, renovated.

The area surrounding the prison had been fully developed, with staff quarters, occupying 9.4 acres (38,000 m²).

Corporal punishment, in the form of whipping with a rotan, was administered at Johor Bahru Prison on Mondays and Thursdays.