For the construction of the new structure the government acquired terrains in the outskirts of the city, in a sparsely developed area at that time.

The building, designed by the engineer Francesco Lucca, takes inspiration from the 18th century Panopticon, with 6 wings with three floors each.

The perimeter walls were originally built in medieval style, but they have almost all been rebuilt with modern standards for security reasons.

The prison gained notoriety during the war through the inhumane treatment of inmates by the SS guards and the torture carried out there.

[4] On March 9 2020 inmates climbed onto the roofs and set fire to cells amid chaos in prisons sparked by the government new restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.