Shoplifting, which often creates unsafe conflict in stores, is a crime in all 50 states and state law defines the expected criminal justice response. Yet, inconsistency in response abounds – leading to dangerous encounters in and around retail stores. Encounters like that which led to the killing of George Floyd by a police officer responding to an alleged retail theft. This tragedy shined a bright light on social inequities and the dangers of our inconsistent and overburdened police and criminal justice resources.
The Second-Chance Education Initiative for first-time shoplifting offenders gives retailers, and their asset protection leaders, an opportunity to make an immediate impact on both social and criminal justice by making NASP education a pillar of its shoplifting prevention strategy as well as its corporate social responsibility plan. Prioritizing opportunity and education for first-time offenders, over police and punishment, is a response that has never been more timely, relevant and reasonable.
Retailers around the nation recognize the unique opportunity, even social responsibility, for the industry to participate in bringing about social change. As part of a renewed commitment to diversity, inclusion and opportunity in stores and the wider community, it is fitting for retailers to view first-time offenders through a new lens of social responsibility by recognizing that there are social, mental and emotional issues behind shoplifting that are not inherently criminal and do not require police intervention. Shoplifting recidivism can be reduced to <3% with proven effective education vs. 30-40% without.
Partnering with a nonprofit organization to make education and support services available before seeking arrest and prosecution, gives all first-time shoplifters access to the tools needed to change their behavior – before entry into an overwhelmed and outdated criminal justice system. A policy of offering education for first-time offenders affords all members of the community the same one-time, second chance; thus, enriching lives and safeguarding communities.
The process is simple: At the time of apprehension, first-time offenders are given a one-time, second chance to voluntarily complete a free NASP shoplifter education program instead of being reported to law enforcement. The first-time offender is released with the information needed to complete the education and with the understanding that, if they choose to shoplift again, they will, by their own choice, be treated as a repeat offender.
Objectives:
- To make an immediate impact on both social and criminal justice by making education a pillar of the retail shoplifting prevention strategy and corporate social responsibility plan.
- To reduce unnecessary offender involvement with the criminal justice system and help reduce incarceration.
- To demonstrate an acute awareness of the challenges communities face in terms of social and criminal justice by providing community-centric services to assist offenders.
- To maximize the value of each apprehension in reducing recidivism.
- To help relieve the burden of misdemeanor shoplifting on local community resources.
- To provide equal value to the retailer’s Corporate Responsibility focus, its Government Relations/ Public Affairs efforts and its Asset Protection team.
(Editor’s Note: This information is from the NASP’s (National Association for Shoplifting Prevention) Executive Summary of Second-Chance Education Initiative for First-Time Shoplifters. For more information on their service visit: https://www.shopliftingprevention.org/)
