The Convict Department was established in 1818. It managed Tasmania's convict system, and after transportation ceased in 1853, people who had been in the system. The Department closed in 1877.
After Tasmania became self-governing in 1856, the Convict Department was part of the Imperial, as distinct from Colonial, establishment and was directly responsible to the Governor. By 1871 the number of Imperial convicts, that is, ex-convicts in institutions such as lunatic asylums was so few that they were transferred to colonial custody. Their costs continued to be met out of Imperial funds.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill and Caroline Evans
Created: 27 January 2011, Last modified: 11 March 2014
Last updated: 4 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/tas/biogs/TE00092b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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