Why transportation was used as a form of punishment?

Transportation was used as a form of punishment primarily as a means of dealing with overcrowded prisons and to remove offenders from society. It served as a deterrent to crime, as the threat of being sent to distant colonies was intended to discourage criminal behavior. Additionally, it provided a labor force for developing colonies, turning punishment into a means of economic benefit for the state. This practice reflected societal attitudes toward crime and punishment during the period it was employed.