Newcastle Prison

Beneath the cover of darkness on a cold October night in 1925, the bodies of 12 executed men were quietly moved from the yard of the newly-closed Newcastle Prison and reburied in All Saints Cemetery in Jesmond. This haunting event marked a poignant chapter in the intriguing tale of Newcastle Prison. Once celebrated as a cutting-edge facility designed by acclaimed architect John Dobson, the prison opened its doors in 1828 to much fanfare. However, it quickly became infamous for its overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. By the time it closed its doors in 1925, it was deemed a dismal failure, and today, no trace of the once-prominent structure remains.

Written on the 100th anniversary of the closure of Newcastle Prison, this book invites you to explore hidden stories and rare images from the lives of those incarcerated, and the staff, who lived and worked within its walls. During its years of operation, the Prison housed thousands of men, women, and children, enduring a harsh environment marked by severe punishment. You will meet the individuals who navigated life behind bars, find out about heartbreaking narratives from the women’s wing, uncover the mystery of the missing executed bodies, and learn about audacious escape attempts.

Featuring remarkable stories, alongside specially commissioned and never-before-seen 3D modelled images of the prison, the book draws on detailed archival research and the latest digital techniques to offer a unique and revealing insight into the prison's architectural and social development, vividly bringing the past to life.