Port Arthur Prison, Tasmania.

Port Arthur prison was part of a convict transportation system where-in hardened criminals and re-offenders were transported to remote, inescapable prisons sites in Australia and Tasmania.

This particular prison was active from 1833 to 1853. The 'Separate Prison' (Panopticon) was a later addition where prisoners, hooded and silent, were kept under constant surveillance. In theory they were to consider and atpne for their crimes. This system would be seen today as psychological punishment and it was perhaps no coincidence that the asylum was right next door!

Guards and guard-dogs manned the neck of land (Eaglehawk Neck) where prisoners might escape. (Prisoners were told that the surrounding waters were infested with sharks).

The prison cemetery is on the Isle of the Dead where there are today 1646 graves. Of these only 180 are marked and are of prison staff.  
 

Port Arthur Prison Tasmania.revised.kmz (2.57 KB)





(Edited to correct Wiki link - Diane)

Have you read The Fatal Shore?  Remarkable book about a cruel system. Thanks for the post, Larryc1, you're the first to identify specific buildings and features on the site.

Thanks, Diane - I had heard of the book and will read it. The cruelty at this site was unbelievable!  I obtained the building names from an on-line map which I probably should have referenced. 

You will be shocked, if you do read it. I never thought of Englishmen as vicious sadists, but the prison administrators and at least one of the governors were! It's also shocking to see that so many were sent off to Australia for very petty crimes. And a lot of young boys and girls. Anyway, a remarkable historical document and I got mine on Amazon, used hardcover, for $.01 + shipping.

I have just finished the section on the 18th century judicial system. Fascinating!! It, of course, sets the stage and rationale for transportation.  I had little knowledge of how the law developed at that time.  This, alone, was worth the price (Kindle, $15.00!)  I have seen enough Hogarth prints to be not surprised at the squalor of life at that time.  A great reading tip, Diane - thanks very much.

I was curious about the Isle of the Dead, specifically about the gravestones, which seemed elaborate for convicts considered sub-human.

The Isle of the Dead was used as the graveyard for the penal settlement of Port Arthur from 1833 to 1877. Around 1000 persons are buried there, comprising a mixture of officials, soldiers, their families, seamen, convicts (including boys from Point Puer), invalids, paupers and lunatics. Social distinctions were observed and the free were segregated by burial in the north-western corner. Several memorials are still evident in this section, but most of the island is bare of headstones as it was forbidden for markers to be placed on convict graves. This policy must have changed over time as a small number dating from the 1850s and dedicated to prisoners are present. Two structures were erected in the later years: a hut to house the gravedigger and a funeral shelter for mourners.

So, most of those in the Panoramio shots would be "officials, soldiers, their families," etc.

1899 -