[FH] Penal Colonies RE: Idiot in distress

***
ObGZGbit: Will the advent of FTL & off-Earth colonies revive
transportation as a judicial punishment, or will colonial efforts be too
expensive to waste on criminals? Lots of SF authors seem to think it'll make a
comeback, anyway.
***

The authors can be all over the map. It can have a high 'humanitarian' appeal.
'At least we aren't killing anyone...', ignoring the destination or even
transport may be a death sentence.

If you recall, in Dune, the Emperor's own Saudauker were the product of a
prison/death world. To carry it further, it could be argued that that
product could be a dagger in the heart of the empire, if they decide to
become rebels. Just ask USA Georgians... ;->=

ESU Penal Battalions could become, instead of first wave fodder, the
do-or-die elite. Or is that often the same result?

The_east