AGY-1666 | Convict Classification Board

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Prison discipline for inmates in the colonies and the desire to improve the penal system occupied much political debate in Britain and beyond during the years prior to 1848. Contact with hardened criminals was believed to result in contamination of the untried and the innocent. Several systems of inmate management to address this problem were under discussion at this time. The classification system was believed to be the most effective in reducing the 'contamination' problem. A system of silence was not favoured, as opportunities for contamination could not be prevented. Separate accommodation for each inmate was not considered to be economically viable (1). The adequacy of labour in New South Wales was also a major problem after the transportation of convicts ceased. A new system of convict discipline, it was hoped, would also assist with the labour needs of the colony (2). A measure of prison reform was achieved with the establishment of the Convict Classification Board by the Executive Council on 1 January 1849. The Board consisted of three members, the Principal Superintendent of Convicts (Chairman), The Visiting Magistrate of Darlinghurst Gaol and the Visiting Magistrate of Cockatoo Island (3). The Executive Council established a classification system, which was regulated by the character and conduct of prisoners. The system comprised of three divisions, with each subdivided into classes, commencing with a first class for the best men in each division and other classes in succession according to character and conduct. Other reforms approved by the Executive Council included a period of probation at Cockatoo Island before removal to road gangs or stockades 'granted as an indulgence' (4). The Board was charged with considering all aspects of convict classification and sentencing according to the nature of the offence, the general character of the convict and previous history. Returns of convicts were submitted from gaolers on a monthly basis to be considered by the Board. The Board was also involved in communications with visiting magistrates who would advise the Board of misconduct warranting reconsideration of remissions of sentence or withholding of indulgences. Recommendations of the Board were finally submitted to the Governor for approval. The abolition of the Board is difficult to document. However, after the disestablishment of the position of Principal Superintendent of Convicts on 31 December 1855, the chairmanship of the Board passed to the Inspector General of Police on 1 January 1856 (5). The final meeting of the Convict Classification Board would appear to be on 12 April 1866 (6). FOOTNOTES 1. Historical Records of Australia, Series I, Vol 26, October 1847-December 1848, Canberra, Library Committees of the Commonwealth Parliament, pp.264-267. 2. Votes and Proceedings of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, 1824- 1855, Vol.1, Sydney, Government Printer, p.462. 3. Executive Council: Minute books, minute No. 48B, 12 December 1848 [SR REF: 4/1524]. 4. Ibid. 5. Returns of the Colony (Blue Books) 1855, p.590 [SR Ref: 4/288]. 6. Minutes and Proceedings, Convict Classification Board, 12 April 1866 [SR Ref: 4/4516]. REFERENCES Archives Authority of NSW, The Concise Guide 2nd Edition, Sydney, The Authority, 1992