Prison Period OVERVIEW

Robben Island was used as a prison, for criminal and political prisoners, during South Africa’s historical colonial and apartheid historical era’s. The only time the Island was not used as a prison in its 500 year history was when it was used as a military base, which was between 1931 and 1960.

PRISON PERIOD

1652 - 1806

Starting in the 1400’s, the Island was used as a prison for rebel sailors. Its importance as a prison increased during the Dutch rule of the Cape between 1652 and 1806. During this period black and white criminals from the Cape and political prisoners from the East Indies were imprisoned on the Island.

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PRISON PERIOD

1846 - 1866

The British colonialists continued to use the Island as a prison for soldiers being deported (deportation) or sentenced to banishment. Criminals from the Cape that were considered particularly dangerous and political prisoners from the frontier wars during the colonisation period was also imprisoned on the island. The prison was closed in 1846 and the old prison buildings were used for the General Infirmary. During this period the Island continued to be used for a small number of political prisoners from the frontier wars and after 1866 for convicts sentenced to hard labour. These convicts did manual work for the hospital.

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PRISON PERIOD

1946 - 1970

After WW2, a small prison was established to hold about 60 long term prisoners sentenced to hard labour. These prisoners maintained the roads, kept the island clean and worked as gardeners and domestic workers.

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PRISON PERIOD

1961 - 1991

From 1961 to 1991, the apartheid government built a Maximum Security Prison on Robben Island which housed the political prisoners imprisoned there, who were fighting against apartheid and for freedom and democracy.

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Prison Period OVERVIEW

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Prison Period OVERVIEW

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