The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-09 00:00:00

REGULATIONS OF THE PROBATIONARY ESTABLISIDIENT

FOR FEMALE CONVICTS IN VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

The following regulations of the Pr•ibitionary Es-
tablishment for Female Convicts in Van Diemen's Land
have been approved by 'his Excellency the Lieutenant-
Governor, and are to be strictly carried out by all per-
sons employed in this branch of the convict department.
M. FOSTER, Comptroller-General.
I. All female convicts arriving in Van Diemen's Land
will be placed under probationary restriction and dis-
cipline for at least six months previously to becoming
passholders.
2. In this stage of propation the attainment of two ob-
jects is contemplated, "punishment and reformation."
The first will be secured by the due application of coer-
cive labour and restrictive discipline ; the second, it is
hoped, will be attained by means of religious and moral
influences, and by the careful inculcation of industry and
regularity.
3. The systematic employment of such means as in-
struments of reformation, it is expected, will pmpare
the women for a gradual restoration to freedom, with
benefit to themselves and advantage to socie'y ; but
they must understand that, until they have afforded
satisfactory evidence of amendment and improvement,
they will not be permitted to emerge from this stage of
probation into that of passholders, in which they will
have an opportunity of obtaining wages in private
service.

4. The entire management of the establishment will
be guided in accordance with these principles, and it
will be impressed upon the women that the c ercive and
restrictive discipline they are undergoing is the conse-
quence of their misconduct ; but that, at the same time,
their lasting benefit is the object in view.
5. Discipline will be most effi_ctually enforced by
calmness and firmness on the part of the various officers
of the establishment. Reproachful or harsh language
can never be attended with advantage, and must be
carefully avoided. Kird treatment and mild language
are perfectly compatible with strict and systematic
discipline.
6. One uniform system of discipline and system must
prevail. Women of humble attainments and capacity
are not on that account to be more rigorously dealt with
than those of superior acquirements ; but women of a
restless disposition will be placed at such description of
work as requires the closest and most unvarying atten-
tion, and be kept under the separate system, whenever
such can be enforced.
7. No female convict, whilst under probationary re-
striction, will be entrusted with power or authority over
the others, nor be employed in any permanent situation
of ease or trust, on account of her ability or usefulness,
or from motives of expediency.
8. This regulation will not prevent the employment
of women, as hereafter pointed out, in the performance
of the daily duties of the establishment, or as ser-
vants to such officers of the establishment as are allowed
attendance.

9. All articles of indulgence, such as tea, tobacco,
&c., are strictly prohibited. Nothing in addition to the
rations and clothing supplied by the Government, which
are ample, will be allowed.
CLASSIFICATION.

10. The discipline of the establishment—the efficacy
of the system—and the present as well as the future
comfort of the women, depend much upon proper classi-
fication. To this object, therefore, the utmost attention
must be given by the superintendent and matron, who in
their arrangement into classes of the women when first
received into the establishment, will be greatly guided
by the reports made by the surgeon-superintendent, as
to the general character and conduct of each woman
whilst under his charge.
11. There will be three classes—the first will be
composed of the best conducted women who have been
ongest in the establishment, and who are, therefore,
nearest to emergence ; the second of those who, al-
though generally well conducted, are not so regular as
the women of the first class, and have not been so long
in the establishment ; and the third will consist of the
disobedient and intractable. The superintendent is
hereby ordered to follow this plan, and not on any ac-
count to classify by ships' companies.
12. Each class will be divided into messes of ten. The
women of the Ist and 2nd classes will be allowed to se-
lect their own mess associates. One woman of each of
the messes will have charge of its details, and will be
responsible fur them to the warden iii charge of ttie class.