Education Program (For Juveniles)

The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), a non-profit organization, has developed a unique program for juveniles who have been involved in shoplifting called the Youth Educational Shoplifting Program (Y.E.S. Program). The program, which is partly presented by juveniles, includes everything a juvenile would ever want or need to know about shoplifting, so that he/she can make the best decisions for their life and their future. The Y.E.S. Program is currently used by over 10,000 juveniles each year.

As a parent you might ask: “Why should my child take an education program?” “The item was only $ .50.” “He says he’ll never do it again and I believe him.” “He is a decent kid who knows right from wrong.” “I don’t understand how any kind of program would help him more than what we have done already.”

To answer these questions, let us ask you a question:

Why Did He/She Steal?

The answer from the vast majority of juveniles is: “I don’t really know”. Sometimes it is because they want nice things, didn’t want to spend the money, felt pressured by friends, wanted to fit-in but felt unworthy, not attractive or not accepted, or were depressed, frustrated, confused, angry or bored. Maybe they just wanted to see if they could get away with it or were mad at the world and wanted to strike back.

Whatever the reason for your child, over our long history since 1977, we have come to understand that the act of shoplifting is largely a symptom and a signal to you that there are underlying issues in your child’s life which are causing him/her to feel excessive stress, fear or emotional pain, usually related to school, friends or the situation at home. For kids, the need to relieve their discomfort creates an impulse to act in this way.

After impulsively taking their first item and “getting away with it”, they find some temporary satisfaction or relief from their internal personal stress, even though they know right from wrong and may also have felt ashamed and afraid.

The value of the item taken is never the issue because shoplifting is not about the item, it’s about the act of stealing.

The Y.E.S. Program will help bring your child a new understanding about shoplifting in a very different way than he/she was probably told by friends; will explain how he/she impulsively makes these kind of decisions; highlights the true impact shoplifting has on his/her self-respect and daily life so that he/she can immediately learn how to make better decisions for himself/herself. It will help to change the thinking, feelings and attitudes your child now holds which has allowed him/her to shoplift and will reduce his/her risk of shoplifting and getting arrested in the future.

Enrolling in the Y.E.S. Program

The Y.E.S. Program is presented to your child on two audio CD’s with a workbook. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete. Your child can use a regular CD player, a “boom box” or computer to listen to the program.

Your child’s enrollment in the Y.E.S. Program is strictly confidential and the program is easy to complete in the privacy of your own home.

Once your child completes the program by answering several questions and sending us his/her answer sheet, NASP will send you a Completion Letter with recommendations and an offer of added support in the future anytime you may feel you need it.

If your child has a charge pending with the court, his/her completion of the Y.E.S. Program will demonstrate to the judge that he/she has taken responsibility for his/her actions by taking an education program, to help ensure that he/she never has another incident in the future. This can only help your court case.

There is a cost of $75 for the Y.E.S. Program. If you have a problem enrolling, call us (toll-free) at 1-800-848-9595.

All program material sent to you will not be identified as coming from the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, but rather from NASP. All credit cards will read NASP.

To register for the Y.E.S. Program as recommended by the Navy Exchange, click here

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