This “Dietaries of Prisoners” was drawn up for the new Jail in Berwick which was opened in late November 1849. The prisoners were given different amounts of food depending on how long they were staying there, what type of work they were doing and sometimes because of what they had done. For example, Class 2 prisoners who were staying between 7 and 21 days were only fed oatmeal gruel and bread the whole time. If they had to do hard labour (breaking stones), they also got an extra pint of soup a week.

The diet for Class 4 prisoners who were doing hard labour and staying between 6 weeks and four months was more varied. Breakfast and supper were always oatmeal gruel (porridge and bread) whilst dinner was more varied – depending on the day of the week. On Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays there was some meat with bread and potatoes whilst on the other days it was just soup and bread. Men and women also received different amounts of food – normally the women were given less bread. Class 9 prisoners who had done something wrong when they were in prison were given even less food. For three days, they were only fed bread and presumably water.

The recipe for the oatmeal gruel and soup was also regulated and can be found at the bottom of the page. In March 1851 when the census was taken, there were 8 prisoners in the jail – 5 men and 3 women.

BA/C/GA/1/11 Plan of Berwick New Gaol, 1844 – Crime & Punishment

BA/C/GA/2/6 Dietary for Berwick Gaol, 1849 – Crime & Punishment

BA/C/GA/1/11 – Plan of Berwick new Gaol, 1844