This article examines issues related to prison disciplinary proceedings. At the first part the Author describes – in a synthetic way – the evolution and aims of imprisonment, starting from ancient times until the 19th century. Mentioned are also the methods od prison discipline in places of penal isolation. The second part consist of a detailed account of historical development of prison disciplinary proceeding in Poland – from the period after the First World War until contemporary times. Concluding part of the article states that the objective of disciplinary sanctions is no longer only to provide safety and order within prisons but also is an important measure of inmate rehabilitation.