On Completion of Sentence
Convicts who worked hard were sometimes able to save money and set themselves up as settlers and a few retuned home to Britain.
In theory, prisoners were only transported to the colonies for a set period of five or, more usually, seven or fourteen years. Those released under Conditional Pardons were not allowed to return.
Those released under Absolute Pardons could return. However, in practice, this was difficult for many with no set procedure for doing it. Some did return to England or left the colonies. However, many convicts went on to make good and successful lives as settlers.
Occasionally prisoners found themselves in further trouble but many did very well after being transported - serving only a short time confined, or labouring, before being released on licence to make a successful life in Australia.
Some became tradesmen or tried their luck at gold prospecting. Many married and had families. One such criminal was Henry Catlin, you can find out about him in the extended case studies.
