When should educational rehabilitation
be a part of the sanctions for shoplifters?
Criminal justice professionals often ask:
Should rehabilitation be considered only
for “first” offenders? What about repeat offenders who may
need it more? What about people who steal food or clothes
because they are poor, or teens caught stealing candy, or
senior citizens who tend to be more forgetful?
Any shoplifter who has not participated
in a comprehensive, "offense-specific" rehabilitation
program will benefit from the experience. Education programs
which address the different needs of individual shoplifters,
through psychological assessments and ongoing support services,
offer a better chance for lasting success than only a fine,
community service, probation or jail.
Shoplifters Who SHOULD
Receive Rehabilitation
 |
1st Offenders
(35% are at "high risk" of repeating the offense) |
|
Repeat Offenders
(shoplifters with prior offenses need rehabilitation more) |
|
Kleptomaniacs
(must get help) |
|
Senior Citizens
(they want to stop but need support) |
|
Juveniles
(concerned about their futures) |
|
People who steal because they are poor
(it's no excuse to steal and they know it, but tuition fee should be reduced or waived) |
|
People caught shoplifting regardless of the dollar amount
(shoplifter rehabilitation is not about the item but about the act) |
|
Shoplifters Who SHOULD NOT
Receive Rehabilitation
|
Drug addicts who steal to buy drugs
(they belong in drug rehabilitation) |
|
Professional career thieves who steal for resale & profit
(they belong in jail) |
|
Children 10 years or under
(they should be guided by their parents or in a special youth program) |
|
People who have already completed a comprehensive rehabilitation program (like SA) within the past year. |
|
People who have committed another type of crime, because comprehensive rehabilitation programs (like SA) are "offense specific" for shoplifting only. |
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