Convict jacket

c1840
Felted wool
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952
DR 114

This short-bodied convict jacket dates from the final years of the convict system in Australia. It is thought to have been used at Port Arthur in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). Yellow, the traditional colour of disgrace, was generally reserved for prisoners who had re-offended.

In 1839 a report was sent with dispatches from chief police magistrate M Forster in Van Diemen’s Land to the Colonial Office in London recommending 10,000 suits of half black and half yellow – 10,000 suits all yellow – and 10,000 suits of grey clothing be sent from the Ordinance Department. This is perhaps one of them.