Australia penal system By scleaver1 Jan 18, 1778 first fleet arrives. May 13, 1787 Departed from Portsmouth Period: May 13, 1787 to Jul 15, 1880 Penal System Jun 3, 1787 Arrived at Canary islands Got food and water supplies left on the 10th of June Jan 1, 1790 Second fleet of Convicts arrive Jun 1, 1791 Third fleet arrived Jan 1, 1825 the Van Diemens land colony is established Jul 29, 1828 Cascades female factory opens Jan 1, 1833 Port Arthur prison opened. Jan 1, 1850 Port Arthur is closed. Jul 29, 1850 Flogging is banned Aug 2, 1855 Norfolk island prison is closed Aug 2, 1856 Van Diemens land is renamed Jan 1, 1868 Executions no longer public Aug 2, 1868 Last convict ship arrives in Australia