Crime and Punishment
in nineteenth-century Newcastle
About the project
2025 marks the centenary of the demolition of Newcastle Gaol (or what we'd know as 'jail'), a formidable structure that stood in Newcastle city centre for over 100 years, but which very few people today seem to know much (if anything) about.
This project aimed to support and enhance the teaching of the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum History unit, Ideas, political power, industry and empire: Britain, 1745-1901, by looking at the impact of urbanisation and industrialisation on society and its links to crime and punishment.
By drawing upon the expertise of a range of different people, from archivists and historians to actors and nutritionists, we encouraged Year 7 and 8 students from Valley Gardens Middle School and North Gosforth Academy to fully immerse themselves in their local history and use drama to consolidate and demonstrate their learning.
Exploring Archives
The students were given access to unique archival items in Newcastle University's Special Collections and Archives and Tyne and Wear Archives. These included plans of the prison, rewards posters, criminal records and John Dobson's original drawings of the Gaol.
With the opportunity to handle this exciting range of primary sources, the students learned about the types of crimes committed by prisoners in Newcastle Gaol, how the Gaol was designed, and about the lives of people living in Newcastle during the 1800s.
"We saw interesting pieces of history not many people get to see." - student
Students handling archival items
Students handling archival items
Exploring archives
The students were given access to unique archival items in Newcastle University's Special Collections and Archives and Tyne and Wear Archives. These included plans of the prison, rewards posters, criminal records and John Dobson's original drawings of the Gaol.
With the opportunity to handle this exciting range of primary sources, the students learned about the types of crimes committed by prisoners in Newcastle Gaol, how the Gaol was designed, and about the lives of people living in Newcastle during the 1800s.
"We saw interesting pieces of history not many people get to see." - student
History Lecture
Dr Shane McCorristine delivered a lecture to the students about his research on Newcastle Gaol. The students got to experience what it's like inside a lecture theatre and found out about some of the important research going on at the University.
During the lecture, Shane spoke about the design of Newcastle Gaol, the treatment of the prisoners, and the sixteen executions that took place during the Gaol's operation.
"I really enjoyed the lecture because I learnt lots of things." - student
Dr Shane McCorristine delivering a lecture
Dr Shane McCorristine delivering a lecture
History Lecture
Dr Shane McCorristine delivered a lecture to the students about his research on Newcastle Gaol. The students got to experience what it's like inside a lecture theatre and found out about some of the important research going on at the University.
During the lecture, Shane spoke about the design of Newcastle Gaol, the treatment of the prisoners, and the sixteen executions that took place during the Gaol's operation.
"I really enjoyed the lecture because I learnt lots of things." - student
Meeting Mary
It's not every day you get to meet someone from the 19th Century! Actor, Charlotte, stepped into the role of Mary Docherty, who was sentenced to seven days of hard labour in Newcastle Gaol in 1873 for stealing iron. The students put Mary on the hot seat to find out what life was like for Mary, and to tell Mary all about life in 2025.
The students asked some brilliant questions about Mary's life before prison, what it was like during her time spent incarcerated, and if she had any hopes or dreams for the future after her week in the Gaol.
"We could ask her lots of questions and learn more about her." - student
Charlotte as Mary Docherty
Charlotte as Mary Docherty
Meeting Mary
It's not every day you get to meet someone from the 19th Century! Actor, Charlotte, stepped into the role of Mary Docherty, who was sentenced to seven days of hard labour in Newcastle Gaol in 1873 for stealing iron. The students put Mary on the hot seat to find out what life was like for Mary, and to tell Mary all about life in 2025.
The students asked some brilliant questions about Mary's life before prison, what it was like during her time spent incarcerated, and if she had any hopes or dreams for the future after her week in the Gaol.
"We could ask her lots of questions and learn more about her." - student
Nutrition in Gaol
Dr Julie Young from the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences at Newcastle University and her student Samantha taught students about nutrition in prisons, comparing the conditions in Newcastle Gaol to what it's like in prison in the modern day.
Students got to find out about what it's like to study Nutrition at university, and taste some gruel that prisoners would have eaten in the nineteenth century.
"I learnt a lot about the prison and nutrition back then." - student
Dr Julie Young speaking to students
Dr Julie Young speaking to students
Nutrition in Gaol
Dr Julie Young from the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences at Newcastle University and her student Samantha taught students about nutrition in prisons, comparing the conditions in Newcastle Gaol to what it's like in prison in the modern day.
Students got to find out about what it's like to study Nutrition at university, and taste some gruel that prisoners would have eaten in the nineteenth century.
"I learnt a lot about the prison and nutrition back then." - student
Newcastle Prison Exhibition
Students were guided around Newcastle Prison: A History 1828-1925, an exhibition on the Gaol at Newcastle City Library to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gaol's demolition. They got to see more artefacts from the Gaol, including coins that were buried under the Gaol when it was built.
The content in the exhibition built on what students had learned during Dr Shane McCorristine's lecture, and Shane was on hand to answer students' questions and tell them more about the exhibition.
"It was really recent history that is very interesting." - student
Students visiting the Newcastle Gaol exhibition
Students visiting the Newcastle Gaol exhibition
Newcastle Prison Exhibition
Students were guided around Newcastle Prison: A History 1828-1925, an exhibition on the Gaol at Newcastle City Library to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gaol's demolition. They got to see more artefacts from the Gaol, including coins that were buried under the Gaol when it was built.
The content in the exhibition built on what students had learned during Dr Shane McCorristine's lecture, and Shane was on hand to answer students' questions and tell them more about the exhibition.
"It was really recent history that is very interesting." - student
Historical Walk
The students were taken on a guided crime and punishment walk of Newcastle City Centre, led by Dr Shane McCorristine. They visited the site of Newcastle Gaol, the remaining Town Wall, and St Andrew's Churchyard.
During the walk, students found out about the history of witchcraft in the local area, and the importance of these places in Newcastle's history.
"[On] the guided walk with Shane [...] I was able to feel as though I was in the 19th century." - student
Dr Shane McCorristine speaking to students during a guided walk
Dr Shane McCorristine speaking to students during a guided walk
Historical Walk
The students were taken on a guided crime and punishment walk of Newcastle City Centre, led by Dr Shane McCorristine. They visited the site of Newcastle Gaol, the remaining Town Wall, and St Andrew's Churchyard.
During the walk, students found out about the history of witchcraft in the local area, and the importance of these places in Newcastle's history.
"[On] the guided walk with Shane [...] I was able to feel as though I was in the 19th century." - student
A Play in a Day
After two days spent engaging with the history of crime and punishment in Newcastle, learning from experts and primary source material, students took what they had learned and transformed it into "a play in a day" with the help of theatre practitioners, Charlotte and Tracy.
North Gosforth Academy worked together to portray the story of Mary Docherty for their families, while Valley Gardens Middle School created their own characters inspired by Newcastle Gaol and put them on the hot seat.
"It boosted my understanding of drama and what is possible in a short amount of time." - student
Students taking part in a drama activity
Students taking part in a drama activity
A Play in a Day
After two days spent engaging with the history of crime and punishment in Newcastle, learning from experts and primary source material, students took what they had learned and transformed it into "a play in a day" with the help of theatre practitioners, Charlotte and Tracy.
North Gosforth Academy worked together to portray the story of Mary Docherty for their families, while Valley Gardens Middle School created their own characters inspired by Newcastle Gaol and put them on the hot seat.
"It boosted my understanding of drama and what is possible in a short amount of time." - student
“Students are still talking about this trip and I have noticed more engagement in my lessons with the students that attended.”
History Teacher at North Gosforth Academy
Students enjoying an archives workshop at Newcastle University Library
Students enjoying an archives workshop at Newcastle University Library
A student performing their script
A student performing their script
Students exploring items in Tyne and Wear Archives
Students exploring items in Tyne and Wear Archives
Charlotte as Mary Docherty
Charlotte as Mary Docherty
Students working hard during an archive workshop
Students working hard during an archive workshop
Tracy supporting students in their performance skills
Tracy supporting students in their performance skills
Mary Docherty's criminal record in Tyne and Wear Archives
Mary Docherty's criminal record in Tyne and Wear Archives
Students at St Andrew's Churchyard
Students at St Andrew's Churchyard
Students exploring historical photos of Newcastle
Students exploring historical photos of Newcastle
Students enjoying their classmates' performances
Students enjoying their classmates' performances
Mary Docherty is unsure about modern payments via card
Mary Docherty is unsure about modern payments via card
Students discussing materials in Tyne and Wear Archives
Students discussing materials in Tyne and Wear Archives
Students from North Gosforth Academy gathered outside the Discovery Museum
Students from North Gosforth Academy gathered outside the Discovery Museum
Students exploring the Tyne and Wear Archives Flickr account
Students exploring the Tyne and Wear Archives Flickr account
Students at the Discovery Museum
Students at the Discovery Museum
A rare book in Newcastle University's Special Collections
A rare book in Newcastle University's Special Collections
Tom from the Discovery Museum showing students a drawing of Newcastle Gaol
Tom from the Discovery Museum showing students a drawing of Newcastle Gaol
Students exploring archival items at Newcastle University Library
Students exploring archival items at Newcastle University Library
Dr Shane McCorristine talking to students about the history of crime and punishment in Newcastle at St Andrew's Churchyard
Dr Shane McCorristine talking to students about the history of crime and punishment in Newcastle at St Andrew's Churchyard
Students warming up with some drama exercises
Students warming up with some drama exercises
Students contributing ideas to their play in a day
Students contributing ideas to their play in a day
A student trying gruel for the first time
A student trying gruel for the first time
Students and a teacher brainstorming ideas
Students and a teacher brainstorming ideas
Students taking part in drama activities
Students taking part in drama activities
“The project gave insights into campus life, as well as some ideas about the range of study and career paths offered by university. [The students] enjoyed seeing the environment that students operated in, and many asked questions about how life at university "worked".”
Head of History at Valley Gardens Middle School
Find out more
Library Education Outreach team
Newcastle University Library's Education Outreach team work with schools and colleges to develop online resources, workshops and project-based learning opportunities inspired by the Library’s Special Collections and information resources.
Dr Shane McCorristine
Shane is a lecturer in History at Newcastle University. He is an interdisciplinary historian with interests in the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, crime, dreams, ghosts, and the supernatural.
Shane was the project lead for the Newcastle Gaol project, which resulted in a website and exhibition.
School of History, Classics and Archaeology
The School of History, Classics and Archaeology offers a unique setting for historians, archaeologists, classicists and ancient historians to work together, studying the past to inform the future, with expertise covering all regions and time periods of human history.
Workie Ticket Theatre Company
Workie Ticket are an award-winning, female-led theatre company based in North Tyneside. They received funding from the The National Lottery Heritage Fund to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Newcastle Gaol’s closure through their Geordie Gaol Girls project.
Collaborating with diverse groups, they are crafting authentic costumes, producing prison ‘mugshots’, and co-creating an immersive theatre experience staged at the original Gaol site, highlighting "HERstories", guided by historical research.
Tyne and Wear Archives
Based in Discovery Museum in the heart of Newcastle, Tyne & Wear Archives is home to thousands of documents, housed on 20km of shelving, relating to the five local districts of Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside.
The documents range from the 12th to 21st centuries and include building plans, school, hospital and church records as well as business records, especially those of important local industries such as shipbuilding, engineering and mining.
The School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences
The School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences' vision is to provide an outstanding learning and teaching environment, ensuring all students reach their potential. They equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a wide range of professions by delivering research-led teaching in human health science and providing outstanding teaching facilities.
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