The prison on the outskirts of Chur's old town had been dealing with changes to its buildings since its inception. Because the Sennhof was not originally constructed as a prison, it was challenging to create suitable detention conditions. For 200 years, the Sennhof remained a construction site, undergoing renovations to cells, building extensions, and the expansion of recreational areas, among other changes. Eventually, it became clear that despite modernizations, the Sennhof could no longer meet current requirements for a correctional facility, especially in terms of security. After decades of discussion, the decision was made to close the prison in Chur.

In the 21st century, prisons are typically built outside city centers. Rural areas offer more space and more favorable land prices. The Canton of Graubünden has built a modern prison, the Justizvollzugsanstalt Realta near Cazis. The era of the Sennhof as a "house of correction" came to a definitive end in 2020.