Alice explained this place became a prison for knights and employees who served the king but betrayed or committed crimes. This place was deliberately built in the basement for security for some reason, so they don't get out of the city. They were imprisoned here because it was a punishment they had done, whether it could endanger the king and his family or a small punishment. They are imprisoned here not to be sentenced to life or death. They are imprisoned here so that they realize what they have done. In other words, this prison was made to make them regret what they did. And once they realized that they were wrong, they would be released from prison.