Historical Context of Custodial Health Nursing in New South Wales, Australia

Australia's prison healthcare originated during the establishment of the colony of New South Wales by Britain in 1788. Initially managed by the Colonial Medical Service, the history and healthcare of the penal settlement has been well documented in government records, academic works, museum displays, and fictional dramatizations. This article explores the origins and historical development of the nursing care of prisoners in Australia, starting with the original Australian prisoners, the convicts of colonial New South Wales. Largely overlooked in historical and academic studies, custodial health nurses are rarely mentioned or acknowledged for their contribution to the health of the colony. However, their expertise as healthcare professionals has continued to grow and is explored within the context of today's health landscape.