State of Tasmania
The Sheriff and Gaols Department, originally established in 1824 and managed by the colonial government, enforced Supreme Court judgements and administered the jury system. In this role, it oversaw local gaols, many of which housed children. In 1924, it became the Supreme Court and Sheriff's Office.
1824 - 1936 Sherriff and Gaols Department
1901 - 1924 Sherriff and Gaols Department
1936 - 1944 HM Gaols Department
1944 - 1959 Gaols Department
1959 - 1983 Prisons Department
1983 - c. 1992 Law Department
c. 1992 - 1998 Department of Justice
1998 - c. 2004 Department of Justice and Industrial Relations
c. 2004 - Department of Justice
Sources used to compile this entry: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 'Feature article - 100 years of prison service: Tasmania's history has a compelling link with prisons', in Tasmanian Year Book, 2004, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/7d12b0f6763c78caca257061001cc588/1cdf5dce2a41d1e3ca256c320024172a!OpenDocument; Wettenhall, RL, A Guide to Tasmanian Government Administration, Platypus Publications, Hobart, 1968, 206 pp.
Prepared by: Caroline Evans
Created: 27 March 2014, Last modified: 3 April 2014