Abstract
This paper explores the lives of convict women transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in the 1800’s, with the aim to better understand the process of desistance and reintegration for contemporary female offenders. Through an analysis of the penal systems which operated during the era of transportation, this research draws on historiography to highlight the importance of understanding the past in order to inform the future. This critical reflection on the history-criminology nexus reveals the impact that societal attitudes and social context have on criminal justice practice and policy, and ultimately an ex-offender’s chances of becoming a valued member of their community. Select transcripts of the lives of 1800’s convicts are used to humanise the statistics; statistics which suggest shared experiences of trauma across both cohorts of women despite 175 years of separation between them.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
