

The first prison register of the Island dates from 1728 and shows at that time there were 42 prisoners on the Island of which, 26 were European and 16 Indiaanen. The term Indiaanen was derived from the East Indian prisoners banished to the Island from 1682 onwards, but was used widely to include all non-white prisoners. Common criminals from the East Indies such as pirates, robbers, thieves and murderers were also banished to the Island.