The old prison, on street Skolavordustigur, was built in 1874.  Originally it also served as a courthouse and housed 23 inmates.  In 1989 the number of cells was reduced to 19 and nowadays they are 16, thereof two isolition cells.  It is the only prison built as such in the country and has been used for a period of 130 years (2004).  It is a two story building with a basement, which is not used any more.  The prison cells are on the ground floor as well as the rooms of the wardens.  It contains no recreational facilities for inmates, but behind it is an open recreational area.