penal colony

/ˌpinl ˌkɑləni/

Other forms: penal colonies

A penal colony is a settlement where prisoners are sent to live and work. Before the Revolutionary War, Britain used parts of America as a penal colony.

After the U.S. gained independence from Great Britain, British prisoners were instead sent to penal colonies in Australia, a practice that lasted through the early 19th century. Being banished to a penal colony meant living in exile, far from home — and it was also a source of free labor in colonial territories. Though few penal colonies exist today, some countries (including Russia) still punish prisoners by sending them to distant work camps. Penal derives from the Greek poinē, "punishment."

Definitions of penal colony

1. noun

   a penal institution where prisoners are exiled (often located on an island from which escape is difficult or impossible)
   type of:

   penal facility, penal institution

   an institution where persons are confined for punishment and to protect the public