Prisons Over Seas Deportation and Colonization; British and American Prisons of To-day

"Prisons Over Seas" by Arthur Griffiths is a historical work that examines the linked practices of deportation and colonization within the British and American penal systems of the 19th century eras. Griffiths, drawing on his experience as a prisons inspector, delivers a broad examination of penal institutions and their operations, highlighting the significant effects of crime and punishment in the period. Early in the book, Griffiths presents the history of British transportation, explaining how the removal of criminals resulted in the creation of penal colonies. He recounts the experiences of the first convict fleet to Australia, their initial conflicts, and the difficulties encountered in settling a new colony mainly made up of transported criminals. Their living conditions highlight the early difficulties of survival, such as famine and lawlessness among the convict population, also the implications of their relocation for both the people concerned and the developing community in New South Wales. These opening chapters introduce a detailed history of convict life, governance, and social development in the penal colonies.