How Peterhead Prison Brings History and Law to Life
Making History and Law Tangible for Students
Classroom learning is essential, but experiencing history first-hand can have a profound impact on students. At Peterhead Prison, we offer immersive educational programs that take students beyond textbooks, allowing them to step inside history and engage with the realities of crime, punishment, and justice.
As one of Scotland’s most notorious former prisons, Peterhead Prison provides an unparalleled setting for students to explore:
✅ The evolution of the justice system
✅ Crime and punishment throughout history
✅ The realities of life behind bars
✅ The role of law enforcement and rehabilitation
By integrating storytelling, interactive exhibits, and real-life accounts, our educational tours bring history and law to life in a way that’s engaging, memorable, and impactful.
Why Schools and Universities Choose Peterhead Prison for Educational Visits
A Unique and Immersive Learning Experience
🔹 History becomes real when students walk the same corridors as past inmates and officers.
🔹 Unlike museums, Peterhead Prison preserves its original structure, giving students a raw, authentic insight into Scotland’s penal system.
🔹 Our tours engage all the senses, making the experience far more impactful than reading from a textbook.
By seeing prison cells, execution chambers, and punishment areas, students develop a deeper understanding of historical and legal systems.
Exploring Crime and Punishment Through the Ages
🔹 Peterhead Prison was built in 1888 and remained operational for over 125 years, witnessing significant changes in criminal justice.
🔹 Our educational programs cover:
✅ Victorian-era crime and punishment – Harsh sentences, hard labor, and corporal punishment.
✅ Modern justice and rehabilitation – How laws and prison conditions have evolved.
✅ Real-life criminal cases – Notorious prisoners and their impact on legal history.
🔹 By comparing past and present penal systems, students gain critical insights into the justice system’s evolution.
Bringing Justice and Law to Life
🔹 Students studying law, criminology, or sociology benefit from real-world applications of their studies.
🔹 Our programs include:
✅ Mock trials – Encouraging students to debate justice and sentencing.
✅ Role-playing activities – Giving insight into the perspectives of prisoners, guards, and judges.
✅ Guided discussions – Exploring ethical dilemmas and the effectiveness of different forms of punishment.
🔹 These activities help students develop critical thinking skills and understand the complexities of justice and legal systems.
Interactive Storytelling for Maximum Engagement
🔹 Our expert tour guides use storytelling techniques to bring the prison’s history to life.
🔹 First-hand accounts from former guards and inmates give students a real-world perspective.
🔹 Through dramatic retellings of escapes, riots, and life behind bars, students gain a stronger emotional and intellectual connection to history.
These interactive elements make learning more engaging, thought-provoking, and long-lasting.
Aligned with Curriculum Objectives
🔹 Our educational programs are designed to support national curriculum goals, ensuring relevance for:
✅ History – Crime and punishment through the centuries.
✅ Law & Criminology – The legal system, sentencing, and rehabilitation.
✅ Sociology – The impact of incarceration on individuals and society.
🔹 Teachers and lecturers can customize tours to focus on specific topics, making the experience directly beneficial to student learning outcomes.
What Students and Educators Say About Our Educational Tours
🗣 “Walking through the actual prison gave me a new perspective on crime and punishment. The tour was both eye-opening and thought-provoking.” – University Criminology Student
🗣 “Our students were engaged from start to finish. The storytelling and historical context made it a fantastic learning experience.” – Secondary School History Teacher
Plan Your Educational Visit to Peterhead Prison
Give your students an unforgettable educational experience that brings history, law, and justice to life.
📩 Enquire today
Education Enquiry
Step inside one of Scotland’s most infamous prisons and turn history into experience at Peterhead Prison.
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