Penal Legion
From Lexicanum
Penal Legions are Imperial Guard forces consisting entirely of convicted criminals, debtors, liberals and other social transgressors.1
Crimes resulting in sentence to a Penal Legion can range from failure to return library books to murder, minor heresy, cowardice in battle, desertion, rape, etc. By serving in the Penal Legions these persons are given the chance of redeeming themselves in the eyes of the Emperor.
Troops sentenced to the Penal Legions serve for life. For 'petty' crimes that do not warrant immediate execution, miscreants are shipped to a nearby Penal World, such as Savlar. Because there are many petty crimes punishable by this form of conscription, there is no shortage of Penal Legion recruits. As mutation is a crime in the Imperium, mutants, such as Beastmen, genetic anarchists and mutogene carriers can also be found among the Penal Legions.
The Penal Legions are not armies in their own rights, but are attached to other regiments and armies in battle, and are useful where greater numbers are necessary to win the day. They are considered expendable, as death is the point of serving in a Penal Legion. They are often used to test enemy defenses. New troops have their heads shaved and tattooed with unit insignia, and explosive slave-collars are put around their necks. The collars are a disciplinary device rather than a means of turning the troops into human bombs; the blast is directed inwards, killing only the wearer. The collars are controlled by personnel accompanying the force, and are detonated only to restore discipline. As well as the collars, Penal troops are sometimes equipped with frenzon dispensers.1,2
Famous Penal Legions include the 13th Penal Legion, nicknamed the Last Chancers, and the Savlar Chem Dogs.
