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Vagrancy is a term to describe the criminalisation of poverty. An adult convicted of vagrancy could have their child/ren committed to the state under child welfare legislation. In the 1800s, vagrancy was an offence whereby people could be imprisoned for being without visible means of support. State laws authorised the transfer of 'neglected children' into care if they lived with an adult convicted of vagrancy.
Prepared by: Nell Musgrove
Created: 14 October 2009, Last modified: 13 February 2018
Last updated: 29 April 2024
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/australia/biogs/FE00040b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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