The institution opened in 1933 under the government of James R. Beverley, and came to substitute the Puerto Rico Prison established by Spaniards in the 19th century.
During the 1970s, such gangs as the Netas began operating at the penitentiary.
On April 17, 1991, a spectacular escape occurred which involved landing a helicopter in the prison, and some inmates escaped. Authorities blamed the infamous Papo Cachete as the mastermind behind the escape.
In 2004, the Government of Puerto Rico ordered the eviction of the state prison because it was deemed too expensive to readjust the structure to newer and modern facility standards.
In 2014, the government ordered the demolition of the property to make room for a scientific park, "Ciudad de la Ciencias". The College of Architects of Puerto Rico (CAAPPR) expressed its opposition to the demolition. The building was demolished in 2015.
