NCJ Number
175135
Journal
Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 27 Issue: 3/4 Dated: 1998 Pages: 123-137
Date Published
1998
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a classroom-based educational and treatment program for adults under probation supervision for shoplifting offenses in Nueces County, Tex.
Abstract
Case-file reviews of 44 adults on routine or deferred probation for misdemeanor shoplifting offenses obtained data on demographics, criminal histories limited to prior offending in the county, risk and needs information, and probation officer observations. The study period was June, July, and August of 1996. A second data set consisted of narratives from face-to-face interviews with 10 of the 44 cases under supervision during the study period. The interview objective was to learn more about whether offenses were planned, the extent of individual or group behavior, techniques, and motivations. The data showed that most of the shoplifters were poor, uneducated, single mothers with negative attitudes who live in destructive environments. They reported stealing for their own consumption or for people they cared about. A 16-hour program was designed based on two assumptions: these people may be motivated to steal to improve the quality of their lives and of those for whom they care; and people do have some control over their lives and would be motivated to improve the quality of their lives in constructive ways if they believed they could. The program is designed to stimulate productive self-improvement and to reduce recidivism among participants. The first class of participants completed the program in mid-April 1997. An evaluation of the program is underway. The evaluation design is briefly described. 1 table and 23 references