In Chapters 1-7, Punishment

The second part of your question calls for "your" opinion. There is no right or wrong answer.

From the text:

The punishment used for small children was a regulated system of smacks with the discipline wand: a thin, flexible weapon that stung painfully when it was wielded.

"Oh, there's lots to learn," Fiona replied. "There's ad- ministrative work, and the dietary rules, and punishment for disobedience — did you know that they use a discipline wand on the Old, the same as for small children?

For a contributing citizen to be released from the community was a final decision, a terrible punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure.