Cascades Women's Prison ca. 1914–41
Inside the sandstone wall remains of one of the yards, 2009.
The Cascades Female Factory Historic Site is a World Heritage convict site located in Hobart, Tasmania. It is one of the 11 sites that collectively comprise the Australian Convict Sites World Heritage property[1]. Collectively these sites represent an exceptional example of the forced migration of convicts and an extraordinary example of global developments associated with punishment and reform. Representing the female experience, the Cascades Female Factory demonstrates how transportation was used to expand Britain’s spheres of influence, as well as to punish and reform female convicts.
The Cascades Female Factory was purpose-built in 1828 and operated as a convict facility until 1856. It was intended to remove women convicts from the negative influences and temptations of Hobart, and also to protect society from what was seen as their immorality and corrupting influence. The Factory was located, however, in an area of damp swamp land, and with overcrowding, poor sanitation and inadequate food and clothes, there was a high rate of disease and mortality among its inmates.
The Cascades Female Factory is the only remaining female factory with extant remains which give a sense of what female factories were like. It is included on the Australian National Heritage List. [2] It was inscribed on the World Heritage list in July 2010, along with ten other Australian convict sites.
Today the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site comprises three of the original five yards. It is open every day (except Christmas) and offers a range of tours.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
