What is society to do with individuals who steal? Laws are written to prevent theft and of course there are numerous monetary and physical penalties, depending on the type of theft and the person’s criminal record. A punishment might be to reimburse the cost of the items, pay court fines and do community service, but is this enough to stop the behavior? While there are some people who commit theft because they simply lack the necessary resources to survive, most do it because they simply feel compelled to, whether it's for the thrill of the chase or the satisfaction of the catch. In many cases, the behavior has become habit and paying a cash fine and working on the side of the road might not be enough to change the behavior.
A more beneficial solution for both society and to the individual caught stealing is to take theft and shoplifting courses combined with the above punishments. Thankfully, courts across the nation have also seen the benefit in this education and have begun assigning them to criminals for rehabilitation purposes.
Theft classes are beneficial because most programs start by exploring why the offender is behaving in this way. The offender first needs to understand why he or she steals, and what they feel right before, during and after the act is carefully analyzed.
In general, the second part of the program is focused almost exclusively on victim awareness and personal responsibility. In order to change a criminal’s behavior it is important to lead them to truly regret their past mistakes. An integral part of what this section teaches is empathy towards other people; after all, if you care about what other people feel and what your actions might do them, chances are you won't do anything to hurt them. The concept of personal responsibility is also discussed. This refers to the rules and conventions a person needs to follow if they expect to live peacefully and successfully in modern society.
In many cases, an online theft and shoplifting class is an excellent way to not only gain the knowledge you need to stop this inappropriate behavior, but also to fulfill your court mandate. Simply check first with the court to make sure they will approve a web-based class. Then it’s as easy as going online and selecting one that is provided by a licensed and practicing therapist. Classes can then be taken in the convenience and privacy of your own home. They are an excellent solution to individuals who are trying to work or fulfill community service projects during the day and simply do not have the time to fit in a traditional school room class at a specific time each day. Also be sure to check that you are able to speak directly with a licensed professional in case you have questions or concerns that arise while you are taking the class. Just like in a classroom setting, these online courses will provide you with a certificate of completion after you pass the final exam. This certificate is what you present to the court to prove that you have fulfilled your mandate. Quality online theft classes are definitely the way to go to help improve behavior.
