If we did move away from prisons, and placed many first-time offenders in reform-based correctional housing, instead, would there be enough punishment involved to deter people from committing the crimes?
Just being placed in a home where there are restrictions on moving about is punishment. Depending on the crime, some of those sent to the non-lockup housing would still be restricted from leaving the facility. And, if they did run away, they would be moved to a lock-up facility.
Others would not be restricted. If the crime were not considered serious enough, they would be free to come and go. The primary purpose would be place them in a site where they could be guided, taught and influenced to become better people.
The idea would be to rehabilitate them -- as would be the idea for anyone sent to prison, whether they were in lockup, in restricted non-lock up, or in open-door housing.
Punishment exists even in open-door housing, even without lockup. The very fact of being placed in the correctional housing is perceived by the offender as punishment. The simple fact they are not only required to be there, but to go through a rehabilitation program is punishment. Being required to spend the time away from doing the things they want to be doing is punishment.
Punishment would not be lost,
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