Penal Transportation Facts & Worksheets

Penal transportation refers to a historical practice where criminals were sentenced to be transported to a distant penal colony or overseas territory as a form of punishment. This practice was particularly prevalent in the British Empire during the 17th to 19th centuries.

See the fact file below for more information about Penal Transportation, or you can download our 23-page Penal Transportation worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

THE CONCEPT OF PENAL TRANSPORTATION

• Penal transportation emerged as a response to the challenges of managing criminal populations, prison overcrowding, and the desire to establish and populate distant colonies. 
• This method of punishment, prevalent from the 17th to the 19th centuries, involved relocating convicts to distant lands, often across the seas, where they would serve their sentences while contributing to the colonization efforts of their home countries.
• The concept of penal transportation was rooted in the idea of removing criminals from the society in which they committed offenses. Rather than confining them in overcrowded local prisons, authorities opted to transport convicts to far-off territories where they could not easily return. 
• The origins of penal transportation can be traced back to the 17th century in Britain. 
• During this time, the criminal justice system faced challenges posed by an increasing number of offenders, particularly in urban areas.
• With prisons becoming overcrowded and public punishment losing its effectiveness, authorities sought alternative methods to deal with the burgeoning criminal population.
• In 17th-century Britain, the practice of sending convicts to the American colonies began, marking the early stages of penal transportation. 
• The transportation of criminals served the economic interests of the colonial powers by providing a source of labor for the new settlements. It also addressed the social issue of overcrowded prisons in England.
• The 18th century witnessed the expansion and refinement of the penal transportation system. The Transportation Act of 1718 formalized the process by which individuals could be sentenced to transportation. 
• Initially, the American colonies were the primary destinations, but after the American Revolutionary War, the British government sought alternative locations. 
• Australia emerged as a significant destination for transported convicts, with the First Fleet arriving in Botany Bay in 1788.
• The Australian penal colonies, such as Port Jackson (Sydney) and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), became crucial components of the British penal transportation system. 
• Convicts were sent to Australia for a variety of offenses, ranging from theft to more serious crimes.
• The labor provided by these convicts played a vital role in the development of the colonies, contributing to infrastructure projects and agricultural endeavors.
• Despite its widespread use, penal transportation declined in the mid-19th century for several reasons. 
• Changing attitudes towards punishment and the emergence of prison reform movements led to the adoption of alternative methods, such as imprisonment, as more humane forms of punishment. 
• The gold rushes in Australia and the development of a free settler society also contributed to the decline, as there was less demand for convict labor.

PLACES AND CONVICTS

• Penal transportation involved the relocation of convicts from their home countries to distant colonies, serving both as a form of punishment and a means of colonization. The British Empire, in particular, was notable for its use of penal transportation. Some key places where penal transportation occurred include:
• America (17th and 18th centuries): The American colonies, especially those along the Eastern Seaboard, were among the earliest destinations for transported convicts. Offenders were sent to colonies such as Virginia and Maryland. However, this practice declined after the American Revolutionary War.
• Australia (late 18th to mid-19th centuries): Australia became the most significant and well-known destination for penal transportation. The First Fleet arrived in Botany Bay in 1788, marking the beginning of the transportation of convicts to Australia.
• Notable locations within Australia where penal colonies were established include Port Jackson (Sydney), Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania), and Moreton Bay (Brisbane).
• New Zealand: While not as extensively used as Australia, New Zealand also received some transported convicts. However, the practice was not as widespread, and the number of convicts sent to New Zealand was relatively small compared to Australia.
• Africa: Some British colonies in Africa, such as Sierra Leone and the Cape Colony (in present-day South Africa), received transported convicts. However, the use of Africa as a destination for penal transportation was less common compared to Australia.
• Norfolk Island: Situated in the Pacific Ocean, Norfolk Island, located east of Australia, served as a secondary penal colony. It was often used as a place of secondary punishment for convicts who had reoffended in Australia.
• As for the convicts themselves, they were individuals who had been convicted of various crimes in their home country. Their offenses ranged from petty theft to more serious crimes like burglary, forgery, or even violent offenses.
• Many convicts were impoverished or had committed crimes due to desperate circumstances. The types of offenses varied, and individuals from different social classes were among those sentenced to penal transportation.
• Transported convicts faced challenging conditions in the colonies, including hard labor, harsh discipline, and social stigmatization. Despite these difficulties, the transportation of convicts contributed to the development of the colonies, as they provided a significant source of labor for various projects and activities. 

PENAL COLONIES TODAY

• The majority of historical penal colonies have undergone significant transformations, evolving from places of punishment and isolation to modern communities with diverse populations. 
• Australia: As transportation ceased in the mid-19th century, these colonies transformed into thriving cities and regions. Today, Sydney and Hobart are major urban centers with rich cultural, economic, and historical significance. The legacy of the convict era is preserved in heritage sites, museums, and historical landmarks.
• Norfolk Island: Once a secondary penal colony located east of Australia, Norfolk Island has evolved into a self-governing territory of Australia. It has transitioned from a place of punishment to a peaceful island with a mix of agriculture, tourism, and a small resident population.

• New Zealand: Today, New Zealand is an independent nation with a distinct cultural identity. The legacy of early European settlement, including interactions with convicts, is acknowledged in historical narratives.
• Africa: These regions have since gained independence, with Sierra Leone becoming a sovereign nation and the Cape Colony forming part of present-day South Africa. The history of penal transportation is recognized as part of these regions’ complex colonial past.

Penal Transportation Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Penal Transportation across 23 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Penal Transportation. Penal Transportation refers to a historical practice where criminals were sentenced to be transported to a distant penal colony or overseas territory as a form of punishment. This practice was particularly prevalent in the British Empire during the 17th to 19th centuries.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Penal Transportation Facts
2. About Penal Colonies
3. Well-Known Penal Convicts
4. Escaping the Colony
5. Penal Purposes
6. Penal Conditions
7. Away From Home
8. Penal Thoughts
9. Modern Punishments
10. Crimes and Punishments
11. Rehab or Retribution?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is penal transportation?

Penal transportation was a form of punishment used primarily by the British Empire in the 18th and 19th centuries. It involved sentencing convicted criminals to be transported to penal colonies, often in distant lands such as Australia or America, where they would serve out their sentences through labor.

Why was penal transportation used?

Penal transportation served multiple purposes for the British authorities. It provided a solution to prison overcrowding, acted as a deterrent to crime, and allowed for the colonization of distant territories by providing a source of cheap labor.

Who were the people typically subjected to penal transportation?

The individuals subjected to penal transportation were often those convicted of lesser crimes, such as theft, burglary, or forgery. However, political prisoners and those convicted of more serious offenses could also be sentenced to transportation.

What were the conditions like for those subjected to penal transportation?

Conditions varied depending on the location and time period, but generally, convicts endured harsh conditions during transportation and in the penal colonies. They faced long and arduous voyages, inadequate food and medical care, and brutal treatment by overseers. Once in the colonies, they were often subjected to hard labor in challenging environments.

When did penal transportation cease to be practiced?

The use of penal transportation began to decline in the mid-19th century due to various factors, including changing attitudes towards crime and punishment, the establishment of more efficient prison systems, and the cessation of transportation to Australia in 1868. By the early 20th century, the practice had largely been abandoned in favor of other forms of punishment and rehabilitation.

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