[3] It has been known for overcrowding and poor living conditions after news reports in 2003 lead to Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MHRC) issuing a notice.

[5][6] Under British rule, the jail housed many Indian nationalist fighters including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Bose, Joachim Alva and Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bhuralal Ranchhoddas Sheth.

[8] During his 1932 imprisonment, which started after his arrest in January 1932, Gandhi went on an indefinite fast to protest against the Communal Award for depressed classes on 20 September 1932,.

[9] He discontinued his fast after signing an agreement called the Poona Pact, with the leader of depressed classes, Dr. Ambedkar in the jail on 24 September 1932.

[10] During the Quit India movement, along with Mahatma Gandhi and many national leaders, many freedom fighters from the Bombay Province such as Kisan Mehta were imprisoned in the Yerawada Central Jail.

Among those detained here were RSS chief Balasaheb Deoras, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pramila Dandavate, and Vasant Nargolkar.

[12][13][14] In 1998, noted social worker Anna Hazare was briefly imprisoned here after he lost a defamation suit,[15] and Bollywood film actor Sanjay Dutt in 2007 [3] and among other noted criminals, scamster Telgi [16] and former underworld don Arun Gawli started his political career while being lodged in this jail,[17] and is currently serving a life sentence here, in a murder case.