Chains to Freedom: the Australian Convict Transportation System

The practice of transporting convicts from Britain to Australia began in the late 18th century — a consequence of the legal and social conditions in Britain at the time. Overpopulated prisons and inadequate facilities led to the desperate need for alternative solutions for housing convicts. The decision to send prisoners to Australia was not arbitrary; it was a deliberate plan to colonise the region and utilise convict labor for the development of the land. This penal system played a pivotal role in Australia’s early development, including the establishment of Sydney as the first penal colony in 1788. The subsequent fleets carried thousands of convicts — both men and women — who were subjected to harsh voyages and conditions. Their labour was essential in building infrastructure, cultivating land, and developing a burgeoning economy. The transportation of convicts had complex social implications, both in Britain and Australia. In Britain, transportation acted as a deterrent to crime and served to alleviate prison overcrowding. In Australia, the system led to a unique social structure, with distinct class divisions and stigmatisations associated with being a convict or the descendant of one. <a href="https://medium.com/@historicalgeographica/chains-to-freedom-the-australian-convict-transportation-system-f219c1d96bc2">Learn More</a>