In 1807, Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, after returning from the United States, presented a project for the organization of prisons based on the principles of isolation.

In 1819, the "Project for the general and detailed improvement of the condition and administration of prisons in the Kingdom of Poland" was presented.

[1] Preparations for taking over the prisons located in the so-called Congress Poland from the hands of the occupiers were already undertaken in March 1918.

Part of the earnings, after deducting the costs of additional food, dues to the State Treasury and administrative costs, constituted the so-called prisoner's profit paid upon release or enabling him to make purchases in the prison canteen (the so-called iron cash register, discharge papers).

On April 22, 1923, the first prison officers Antoni Łapiński, Józef Kurowski and Henryk Ruciński, died while on duty, murdered during the escape of four convicts.

From the beginning of its existence, the Prison Service was subordinated to the VI Department of the Ministry of Public Security.

However, they quickly lost their relevance due to the political changes of 1956 and the transfer of the Prison Service to the Ministry of Justice on November 1, 1956.

In previous years, no one dealt with the rehabilitation of convicts due to the lack of funds, facilities, appropriate staff, and above all the political climate.

A 10-year period of issuing a number of orders, directives and letters began, modified and verified in practice, ending with the issuance of new regulations.

In 1966, a system of free progression was introduced in rehabilitation activities, including the introduction of semi-open and open prisons.

In the years 1969–1981 (with difficulties after martial law), prisoner education was developed, various variants of alcohol treatment were implemented, experiences with the pass system were developed and ways of cooperation with society were sought, and cooperation with families was expanded in many prisons.