Convict

Convict is a term often used to refer to a person who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a sentence in prison. Convicts are also known as prisoners or inmates. In some legal systems, the term "convict" is a legal term with specific meaning, while in others it is a colloquial term with no formal legal status.

History

The term "convict" has its origins in the English legal system, where it was used to refer to a person found guilty of a crime by a court of law. The term was later adopted by other legal systems, including those in the United States and Australia.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, many convicts were transported from Britain to penal colonies in Australia. This practice, known as transportation, was used as a form of punishment and as a means of colonizing Australia.

Legal status

In some legal systems, the term "convict" has a specific legal meaning. For example, in the United States, a person is considered a convict once they have been found guilty of a crime and sentenced to prison. In other legal systems, the term is used more broadly to refer to anyone who has been found guilty of a crime, regardless of whether they are serving a prison sentence.

Social and cultural implications

The status of being a convict carries with it a number of social and cultural implications. Convicts often face stigma and discrimination, both while they are serving their sentences and after they have been released. This can make it difficult for them to reintegrate into society and find employment.

In some cultures, convicts are seen as having paid their debt to society once they have served their sentence. In others, they are seen as permanently tainted by their criminal past.

See also

• Prisoner
• Inmate
• Criminal justice
• Penal colony
• Transportation (punishment)

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  Convicts at Botany Bay
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  Prisoners and gendarmes on the road to Siberia (Geoffroy, 1845)