Penal and Gaols Branch, Chief Secretary's Department

Full description

In 1871, following the establishment of a Royal Commission on Penal and Prison Discipline and under the provisions of The Statute of Gaols Amendment Act 1871, the Penal and Gaols Branch was established within the Chief Secretary's Department (VA 475).

With the proclamation of the Social Welfare Act 1960 (No.6651), the Social Welfare Branch (VA 2784) was established within the Chief Secretary's Department superseding both the Penal and Gaols Branch and the Children's Welfare Department (VA 1467) (also within the Chief Secretary's Department).

For further information about the administration of the prison system see VRG 9 Prisons and Youth Training Centres and VRG 93 Corrections.

Location of Records

For records concerning the administration of prisons, probation and parole see list below and the List of Holdings 2nd edition 1985, sections 3.4.7 (Penal and Gaols Branch), 3.4.8 (Probation and Parole) and 3.16.5 (Chief Secretary's Office). For records of individual institutions see VRG 9 Prisons and Youth Training Centres and section 13.0.0 of the List of Holdings.