Reformatory School for Boys - Hulk Proserpine

The Reformatory School for Boys, run by the government, was established at Lytton in 1871, on the former prison hulk Proserpine. The hulk was declared a Reformatory School for Boys under the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act 1865. Boys under the age of 18 years were sentenced to a term of confinement at the reformatory by Children’s Courts. In 1881 the boys were transferred to the new Reformatory School for Boys, Lytton.

The Queensland Water Police describe the transformation of the ‘Proserpine’ from prison to reformatory.

On the arrival of the “PROSERPINE” at Fisherman Island on the 11th May 1864 an inspection was carried out to assess the quality of work undertaken to convert her from a cattle ship to a prison. The work was found to be most favourable and a credit to those responsible and was reported in The Brisbane Courier (Qld.:1864-1933) the following day. The only concern to be reported by The Brisbane Courier was, “…that the prisoners will be made too comfortable, and will enjoy a life of idleness incompatible with their usual habits.”

With a influx of prisoners from throughout the colony the overcrowding of the prison system continued to put strains on the Brisbane gaol, and the “PROSERPINE”. In November of 1865 prisoners from “PROSERPINE” were put to work to clear the vegetation from St. Helena Island, Moreton Bay, in preparation for the establishment of a quarantine station however as the overcrowding of prison system became unacceptable the Government scrapped the idea of moving the quarantine station and St Helena Island became Queensland’s maximum security prison.

The “PROSERPINE” remained anchored at the mouth of the Brisbane river as a prison hulk until the last 49 of her prisoners were moved to St. Helena Island on the 20th May 1867. With St. Helena Island now providing relief to the over crowded prison system it was intended to use the “PROSERPINE” as a reformatory to house approximately 100 juvenile offenders however it was not until 1871 when she was declared to be a ‘Reformatory School for Boys’ under the Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act 1865.

Boys under the age of 18 years were sentenced to a term of confinement at the reformatory by the Children’s Court at Brisbane, for the purpose of segregating neglected and convicted juveniles from the poor influence of adult prisoners, so as to better promote their reformation and rehabilitation.

At the time the “PROSERPINE” was under the supervision of a Superintendent (the first of which was appointed on 15 March 1871) and a Visiting Justice. The former was responsible for admissions, discharges, internal discipline and the general administration of the reformatory. The Visiting Justice, who visited the “PROSERPINE” at least once a week, was responsible for ensuring institutional regulations were adhered to; inspections of the boys to ensure they were properly cared for; the investigation of complaints; and magisterial inquiries into the deaths of inmates. Both the Visiting Justice and the Superintendent reported directly to the Colonial Secretary.

A medical officer and school teacher also visited the “PROSERPINE” to look after the health and education of the inmates. Teachers were appointed by the Board of General Education until 1875 and then by the Department of Public Instruction.

As part of their education and rehabilitation, the boys were put out to service in various trades, such as farm work. Whilst the reformatory was located on board the “PROSERPINE”, however, such employment was confined to domestic and general maintenance chores. It appears that some boys were transferred to orphanages before the expiration of their sentences. Parents of neglected and convicted inmates were required to contribute financially to the maintenance of their sons whilst in the reformatory.

The use of the “PROSERPINE” as a reformatory was advised in the Gazette of 7 February 1872 as follows: –

General Order No. 526 (Gazette 7 February 1872)
‘Officers of the Force, more especially those in large towns, are hereby informed that the hulk “Proserpine”, having been proclaimed a reformatory is now ready to receive boys of the criminal class’.

The first report of the Superintendent was written in 1879 and appears in the Queensland Votes and Proceedings, Parliamentary Papers for that year. The first appointed Superintendent was James William Wassell and his wife Rebecca was appointed as the Matron, both being appointed on 15 March 1871.