Convict and Inmate Uniforms: Then and Now

During the 1820s, convicts at Hyde Park Barracks received uniforms twice a year, consisting of a cotton shirt, white canvas trousers, a thick blue woollen jacket, a yellow and grey waistcoat, stockings, shoes, a neckerchief, and a woollen or leather cap. These clothes, known as 'slops', were often ill-fitting, leading convicts to create belts from recycled materials. All government-issued clothing was marked with a 'broad arrow' and sometimes 'PB' (Prisoners Barracks) to identify the wearers as convicts. Old uniforms were worn under new ones for warmth or torn into pieces for mending. By the 1830s, the issuance increased to three shirts and three pairs of shoes. Shoes frequently wore out due to daily walking, and new issues were infrequent. Clothing was often stolen and traded for luxury items, leading to severe punishments for those caught. Archaeologists found many pieces of convict clothing, including marked shirts (stamped with initials and government marks to deter theft) and buttons, under the barracks' floorboards.

Upon entering an Australian correctional facility, inmates typically receive a basic issue of clothing, including green t-shirts, shorts, track pants, a jumper, a jacket, socks, underwear, and green shoes. Sizes are often whatever is in stock, potentially leading to ill-fitting garments. Some uniforms are made by inmates at facilities like Cessnock Correctional Centre. The initial clothing allowance is often insufficient for a week without frequent washing. Inmates can sometimes obtain spare clothes from other inmates or through an 'Activities Buy Up' form, which allows them to purchase items like sports shoes, warmer jumpers, breathable t-shirts, polo shirts, caps, beanies, thongs, and sunglasses. Footwear policies vary, with some jails allowing sneakers while others restrict options to basic rubber shoes. Inmate footwear prioritizes safety, compliance, and comfort, with specific requirements for work programs.

Occasionally, inmates acquire clothing not standard-issue or available for purchase, such as a Polo Ralph Lauren hoodie. These items are often smuggled in during visits at minimum-security jails. During visits, prison staff record the visitor's clothing. Visitors can swap an item of their clothing for an inmate's issued garment. If the correctional officers fail to notice the different item when the inmate leaves the visit, the item is successfully smuggled into the prison system. This method can also be used for sunglasses, watches, and sports shoes. Smuggling is not possible in maximum-security facilities, where inmates wear white overalls without personal clothing underneath.