Penal colony of New Caledonia
A prison warden, circa 1906 | |
| Location | New Caledonia |
|---|---|
| Type | Penal colony |
| Inauguration date | May 9, 1864 |
| Dismantled date | 1924 |
The penal colony of New Caledonia was a penitentiary establishment which was in operation from 1864 to 1924 on the southwest Pacific islands of New Caledonia. Many French prisoners from mainland France (approximately 21,000) were deported there.
Divided into three categories, these convicts could hope to be released without obtaining a return to mainland France.