Convicts and commodities: An archaeological approach to the economic value of the Western Australian penal system

Archaeological analysis of artefacts from Fremantle Prison reveals that the Western Australian penal system, introduced in 1850, significantly boosted the local economy by injecting capital through institutional purchases and wage-earner spending. The study found that while some capital leaked out via imports, a substantial portion circulated within the local market, highlighting the economic impact of the convict system's structure. By comparing artefacts from institutional and wage-earner contexts, researchers demonstrated how different aspects of the penal system influenced purchasing patterns and economic benefits.

Haast, A. (2015). Convicts and commodities: An archaeological approach to the economic value of the Western Australian penal system. Archaeology in Oceania, 50(3), 138–144. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/arco.5075