Description

Urchin Convicts: The Point Puer Boys in Van Diemen’s Land

In the shadow of Tasmania’s convict past lies the lesser-known story of Point Puer—a penal institution built specifically for boys. Between 1834 and 1849, over 2,000 young lads from the streets of Britain were shipped to Van Diemen’s Land in an ambitious, if ultimately flawed, attempt at rehabilitation.

Through vivid research and compassionate storytelling, Urchin Convicts explores the lives of these boys—the harsh conditions they endured, the hopes pinned upon them, and the often-tragic outcomes that followed. While some found paths to redemption, many were released with little more than the trauma they arrived with.

A powerful and important account of Australia’s juvenile convict history, this book is essential reading for those interested in colonial history, social reform, and the resilience of the human spirit.