The Aboriginal Prisoners Act 1844 (7 & 8 Vic., 1844, No.11) commenced on 19 August 1844. Its full title was: An Ordinance to provide for the employment and Instruction of Aboriginal Prisoners. It was repealed by the Prisons Act 1869 on 9 February 1870. This legislation allowed for ‘the employment and instruction’ of Aboriginal people who were imprisoned.