The original Sark Prison stood near to where St. Peter's Church is today. Over time it became dilapidated and by 1832 the Arsenal was being used as an interim prison, despite being entirely unfit for purpose.

The little barrel-roofed two-celled prison we know today was eventually built in 1856 and until recently it was the world’s smallest working prison. By this we mean that it was not just a holding cell but a prison that someone could be sentenced to.

Judicial powers granted to Sark in 1583 allowed a prisoner to be held for a maximum of two days. If the crime was severe enough to warrant further punishment the offender would be sent to Guernsey prison.