the convict system

The convict system was a method used primarily in the 18th and 19th centuries, where prisoners were transported from Britain to various colonies, notably Australia, to serve their sentences. This system aimed to alleviate overcrowded jails and provide labor for developing new settlements. Convicts worked on public projects, agricultural developments, and eventually contributed to building communities. While some convicts faced harsh conditions, many were able to turn their lives around and integrate into society post-servitude. The system remains a significant aspect of the history of penal transportation and colonial development.