NCJ Number
31538
Date Published
1975
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF THIS PROGRAM WHICH DIVERTS FIRST-TIME SHOPLIFTING OFFENDERS FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY PROVIDING SPECIAL SHOPLIFTING CLINICS FOR OFFENDERS AND THEIR PARENTS.
Abstract
THE GOALS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE TO PROVIDE A MORE EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL MEANS OF HANDLING SHOPLIFTING CASES AND TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO PROCESSING THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. JUVENILES CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING ARE BROUGHT TO A SPECIAL POLICE OUTPOST, WHERE THEY ARE PROCESSED AND REFERRED TO THE SHOPLIFTING CLINIC. AT THE CLINIC, JUVENILES DISCUSS THE FACTORS WHICH CONSTITUTE SHOPLIFTING, RECEIVE A TRAINING SESSION IN SELF-CONTROL, AND VIEW A FILM ON SHOPLIFTING. PARENTS PARTICIPATE IN DISCUSSIONS ON WHAT CONSTITUTE SHOPLIFTING AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SHOPLIFTING. AFTER ONE YEAR OF OPERATION, 346 YOUTHS AND THEIR PARENTS HAD BEEN THROUGH THE PROGRAM. AT THE END OF THAT YEAR, 5.2 PERCENT HAD COMMITTED ANOTHER OFFENSE. SAVINGS IN TERMS OF INTAKE WORKER MANHOURS AND JUVENILE COURT COUNSELING HOURS ARE DESCRIBED. PLANS FOR PROGRAM CHANGES AND FUTURE RESEARCH ON THE PROGRAM ARE OUTLINED, AND A SAMPLE SELF-CONTROL TRAINING MANUAL IS PROVIDED.