The Industrial Schools Act (Act no.31 Vict. No.37) with the full title ‘An Act to provide for the Establishment in Tasmania of Institutions for the Industrial Training and Benefit of Vagrant Children and Youthful Offenders’ provided for the establishment of institutions for children who were neglected or had committed an offence. Such children could be brought before two Justices for committal to an industrial school. The Act enabled volunteers to establish and manage industrial schools.
This act was repealed by the Youthful Offenders Act 1896 (Act no. 60 Vict. No.24) on 23 October 1896.
According to its preamble, the Industrial Schools Act provided for ‘the Establishment in Tasmania of Institutions for the Industrial Training and Benefit of Vagrant Children and Youthful Offenders’.
Children under the age of 14 who were ‘found begging or receiving alms’; ‘found wandering and not having any home or settled place of abode, or proper guardianship or visible means of subsistence’; or were ‘destitute’ because they were an orphan or their only living parent was in gaol could be sent to an industrial school.
Children under 12 charged with an offence punishable by prison but not of a felony, could also be sent to an industrial school.
The Act had its origins in vagrancy laws which explains why in this, and subsequent acts, children could be charged with their own neglect.