The History of Newgate Prison

By Caroline Jowett

Pen and Sword, 127 pages, £12.99

The infamous gaol of Newgate in London cast a dark shadow over 700 years of English history. If your ancestor committed a serious crime, they may have been unlucky enough to end up in a cell in Britain’s most notorious prison.

Known as the ‘ hanging prison’, convicted criminals were held at Newgate on remand or awaiting punishment, including execution. In The History of Newgate Prison, Caroline Jowett charts the gaol’s long history, from 1188 to 1902. Organised in chronological order, each chapter focuses on a specific period, describing the key events and major developments, and their impact on the prison and its inmates. Themes are interwoven with the narrative, giving details about a wide range of topics, including offences and punishments, prison reforms and more. There are also descriptions of conditions at the gaol, stories of famous inmates throughout the ages, and a glossary of the ‘Newgate Cant’.

This is a highly readable and accessible account, not only of the iconic institution, but also of the history of crime and punishment. It is packed full of evocative detail and is essential reading for all those interested in crime history.

Angela Buckley is a crime writer, author and chair of the Society of Genealogists