>>5220413Yeah.
Iirc in the Great Crusade, Penal Regiments are even more huge than they were in 40k because of all the non-compliant human worlds and large scale warfare.
"There are those who undervalue the Penal Legions. But they should consider this: should a man who has wronged the Emperor be allowed to wrong him further? For each man executed is a man who can no longer serve, and to fail in service to the Emperor is the greatest of sins."
—Leman Russ, Primarch of the Space Wolves Legion, Meditations on Imperial Command, Book XXI