Tasmania Historic Prison Uniform
"Made in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) between 1830 and 1849, the fabric was probably woven and then made into uniforms in the Female Factory in Hobart. Natural dyes were used to colour the cloth. The woollen fabric is heavy and rough, and there are buttons down the side of each leg, allowing a prisoner to remove his trousers while wearing leg-irons. The ‘broad arrow’ indicates that the wearer was government property." From: https://www.nla.gov.au/digital-classroom/year-5/convicts-conflict-and-confrontation/themes/convict-experiences
It looks like the "belt" held the pants up.
A better look at the "belt". Notice the buttons down the right leg so the pants could be removed with leg iron on the ankles.
A picture of the shoulder and collar. (Yes, it is REALLY old.)
The caps that the prisoners would have worn.
See: https://tasmaniantimes.com/2021/01/convict-uniforms/
And: https://www.historynet.com/linus-miller-a-yank-in-van-demons-land/
