A Convict Settlement refers to a colony established by a government to house prisoners who have been sentenced to transportation as a form of punishment. This practice was notably used by the British Empire during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in places like Australia. Convict settlements were often located in remote areas, where convicts could be put to work on public projects or agricultural development. The most famous convict settlement is Port Arthur in Tasmania, which operated from 1830 to 1877. These settlements aimed to rehabilitate convicts through hard labor while also establishing new communities. Over time, many convicts earned their freedom and contributed to the growth of the regions where they were settled.