16 Commonly Held Amish Myths Busted!
12. Myth - They Cannot Leave The Amish Society
Is it possible to break free from the biblical bonds of Amish jail?
Well, yes. An Amish person can leave at any time he or she chooses but on top of that they can actually be kicked out under severe circumstances.
They have internal laws beyond the scope of regular ones so while murdering someone, something almost unheard of in the Amish community, would obviously send them to real-world prison, committing other acts that wouldn't normally lead to criminal prosecution can end with something just as bad.
The rather unfortunately named "Meidung" is the result of Amish crimes such as adultery or not keeping the faith. It's a shunning of literally Biblical proportions where the person in question would be cast out never to see their house, friends or family again. Imagine a buddy dropping a hammer on his foot thus letting out some choice expletives surrounding the Lord and Saviour only for him to suddenly disappear forever.
The shun is permanent and rarely can it be undone. Once an Amish chap is sent to Coventry they don't come back.