The Menzelinsk district prison castle, the oldest of the surviving correctional institutions, was built in 1806. Its construction began during the reign of Catherine II and was completed under Alexander I. In 1878, the building was expanded and reconstructed, and surrounded by a brick wall thanks to the efforts of the local prison committee. Since 1886, executions have been carried out in the courtyard.

In 1831, the Prison Instruction "On the Church" was approved, which detailed the legal status of the Orthodox Church and the procedure for conducting religious rites by prisoners. Only in 1896 was an extension with large windows built on the second floor of the prison's administrative building, where a church was established, consecrated in honor of Archangel Michael. By the early 20th century, the presence of church facilities became mandatory for all penitentiary institutions, and according to the Law of June 15, 1887, the clergy of these churches were included in the administrative apparatus.

After the events of October 1917, the church in the prison was abolished, and during the Soviet era, the extension itself was quietly dismantled. Nevertheless, the oldest district prison castle has survived and continues to function; it now houses detention center No. 4.