It features outcrops of exposed pre-Cambrian rocks that were once extensively quarried as part of prison activity.

Prisoners were kept locked in irons on board HMS Buffalo until its sailing in 1837, and in temporary jails subsequently.

[7] September that year saw Hare move, in the council, that £5,000 be set aside to enable a prison be constructed next to a quarry, whether at Dry Creek or elsewhere.

[9] Twenty five prisoners were sent to the Dry Creek site to work in the quarries in July 1854, living at night in an iron house.

Hare requested construction of a stone building, and by October 1854 this was completed using locally quarried bluestone, with accommodation for 60 prisoners.

[8] In its early years rock-cracking, hard labour and solitary confinement were the notable features of life at the prison.

Until the middle of the 20th century the prisons department's philosophy remained punitive with much reliance on obedience to rules and regulations.

[8] For the prison, water supply was a constant issue, with carriage required from distant Port Adelaide.

[13] Prisoners moved from rock breaking to goods production with trades including boot making, tailoring, tin smithing, blacksmithing, carpentry and masonry.

There was public opposition as the free labour of prisoners was seen as unfair competition against private industry, consequently Government departments used most products.

During the 1960s small industries were established north of the prison walls with facilities for spray painting, sheet metalwork and brick making.

The government saw this as an opportunity to restructure Yatala, rather than simply repairing the damage, and on 21 December announced that A division would be demolished.

The former Enfield Council strongly objected due to the building's historic value but demolition began on 6 February 1984.

Some of the original buildings and parts of old equipment can still be seen from a creek level walking trail, between the prison and new suburb of Walkley Heights.

The reception area includes two state of the art turnstile machines, which can detect any concealed drugs and metal objects.

After checking through the turnstiles, visitors and staff must go through an Iris scan and fingerprint detecting booths to gain entry into the prison.