<Li> Mexico uses the island of Isla María Madre (in the Marías Islands) as a penal colony . With a small population (fewer than 1200), the colony is governed by a state official who is both the governor of the islands and chief judge . The military command is independent of the government and is exercised by an officer of the Mexican Navy . The other islands are uninhabited . </Li> <Li> Brazil had a prison on the island of Fernando de Noronha from 1938 to 1945 . </Li> <Li> Some sources refer to Third Reich forced - labor camps (Arbeitslager') in German - occupied Europe as penal colonies . </Li> <Ul> <Li> North Korea operates a penal system including prison labor camps and re-education camps . </Li> </Ul>

When was the last english colony established in america