Churches of Tasmania

The Cascades Female Factory operated in South Hobart from 1828 to 1856. Female factories were called factories as they were conceived of as manufactories to produce goods to assist the colonies. In total five female factories operated in Van Diemen’s Land: The ‘Hobart Town Gaol’ (which was replaced by the Cascades Female Factory); and factories at George Town, Launceston and Ross. The female factory was part of the probation system. The intention was to facilitate the transformation of women from convicts to reputable citizens. In the factories the lives of women were regulated by strict rules, work and religion. Prisoners were classified into ‘classes’. After serving six months in the ‘crime class’, approved prisoners, the so-called 'hiring class', became pass holders and could work for wages outside the factory as hired servants. In Tasmania’s penal institutions religious practice was, at least in theory, considered a critical part of reforming convicts. A 2008 a report for U...