transportation

• what was transportation?

  • the system where criminals were removed from the country by being sent abroad.
  • initially sent to north America colonies but due to the American War Of Independence, England lost these colonies & convicts couldn't be sent so they were sent to newly discovered, Australia.
  • in the early years the voyage took 9 months & the enviornment in Australia was unforgiving.
• Aim

  • the idea od sending criminals to unknown land on the other side of the world seemed like an excellent deterrent.
  • Law makers hoped transportation would be successful as it would provide a punishment less harsh and permanent than execution so juries would be more willing to convict.
  • Hoped it was harsh enough to terrify criminals and act as a deterrent therefore reducing crime rates
  • criminals would be reformed through the hard work.
  • thought it would help the new land of Australia for Britain, around 160,000 people were transported to Australia between 1770s-1850s.
• Effect of transportation on criminals

  • the journey to Australia could take up to 3 months and the convicts were kept in cramped, unhygienic conditions.
  • Upon arrival they would be sent to work for settlers. Once their 7 year sentence had been served, most convicts couldn't afford to return home, so remained in Australia.
  • Many went on to live respectable lives and found wages and standard of living better in Australia than in Britain.
• Result of transportation

  • Transportation to Australia began to decline in the 1840s for a number of reasons.
  • it was very expensive
  • it had not led to a decrease in crime rate as had been hoped
  • Australia now established a colony and did not want to be seen as merely a land of convicts
  • improved prison system
  • seen as an opportunity not a punishment
• FACTORS

  • A.I.S: attitudes to punishments influenced law makers e.g transportation seen as an easy option, executions entertainment, juries wouldn't convict
  • Gov: law makers responsible for all changes, introducing new laws and ending old laws
  • Individuals: Home secratary Sir Robert Peel was influential in many changes to punishements in this period