The Ushuaia Prison and Penitentiary for Repeat Offenders was created by decree in 1896. In January of that year, the first group of prisoners, 14 male volunteers, departed. Weeks later, a second group, including 10 female volunteers, left. The idea was to establish a penal colony.
Construction of the building was completed in 1920. The prison had several workshops: a bakery, carpentry, blacksmithing, and more. It also had a pharmacy, medical services, a telephone, and a power plant. These services extended to the city of Ushuaia, allowing residents to purchase bread or furniture made by the inmates. Several well-known prisoners were held there, such as Simón Radowitzky and Cayetano Santos Godino, among others. The prison was closed by decree in 1947 under the presidency of Juan Domingo Perón. The facilities were then transferred to the Navy.