This work demonstrates the history of Zaria Central Prison in Zazzau Emirate from 1903 to 1967. It highlight on the nature of prison system in pre-jihad era which was based on Hausa traditional law. The nineteenth century jihad of Sokoto led to the transformation of the Islamic legal system (Shari'ah) where the first prison was constructed in Zaria. With the occupation of the Emirate in 1902 by the British; the prison system was again transformed where the existing prison was relocated to its present site by 1903. This development brought about a number of reforms of the prison especially in the early 1950s to late 1960. These reforms were aimed in achieving the goals of the prison as an institution for reforms and rehabilitation of the inmates.