Port Arthur, a Place of Conviction

The Separate Prison, Asylum and Boys Camp are part of Port Arthur's Darker Past

The first purpose built juvenile reformatory in the British Empire, Point Puer Boys Camp held about 800 youths age 9-17, who were sent to the boys camp as they were of no use to the prison. They were too weak to do any labor and had no trade skills. The Camp operated from 1830 until 1849.

Off the tip of the boys camp you find the Isle of The Dead, where over 1000 people are buried, both convicts and free men. Tours to either of these places operate daily.

Smith O'Brien was one of the most well known prisoners to stay in Port Arthur, he was a political prisoner from Ireland, and as a political Prisoner he was isolated from the rest of the general population. This house was also used as accommodations from 1950-1970 by the Youth Hostel Association.

The View from Smith O'Briens cottage over looking the hospital was a constant reminder that he was still a prisoner.

The Hospital was used to treat ailing convicts. As the age of the population grew, so did the role that the hospital played.

I even hate to mention this part, but Port Arthur housed a dozen Americans for crimes during the US Canada War.

The Pauper's Depot was below and was also used to treat convicts.

The Asylum held the craziest of the bunch. Currently it is used as a museum, convict study center and coffee shop.

The Separate Prison was where the worst offenders were kept. These were also convicts who committed another crime since arriving to the island. They were required to wear hoods to cover their faces and they were not allowed to speak to anyone, including guards and prisoners. Convicts here were locked in their cells for 23 hours each day, only allowed to leave for one hour of exercise and church services.

One time each week they were allowed to leave their cell was to head to the adjoined church. In the room there is a partitions preventing the convicts from seeing and communicating with each other and from seeing the guards on the other side of the room, who also attended services.

Being locked away for long periods of time was found to cause mental issues with many of the prisoners, and this method of control and punishment was later phased out.

Port Arthur runs several tours in addition to the basic information tour which is included in the entrance fee. Other tours in Port Arthur include the Ghost Tour, Point Puer Boys Camp Tour and the Isle of the Dead Tour.