A Structured Group Format for First Offense Shoplifters

Abstract

Nearly eleven million Americans were caught shoplifting in 1980. Approximately six percent of gross retail sales in the U.S. and Canada goes to cover the cost of shoplifting prevention efforts and losses. Recent research suggests that psychosocial stressors contribute heavily to shoplifting behavior, and that brief individual and group psychological treatments have thepotential to reduce recidivism and promote rehabilitation. This article describes in detail a six session psychoeducational group treatment which is built around the notion ofprecipitating stressors. The structuredprogram "walks" each participant in turn through the specifics of the incident which resulted in their arrest-including stressors, rationalizations, and consequences. The treatment program, implemented by masters' level counselors, consciously utilizes commonly recognized group forces. Referring judges have been well satisfied with the program, which has been used routinely with convictedfirst offense shoplifters since 1982. Probation officers estimate that to date, only 5% of shoplifters who have participated in the program since 1982 have been re-arrested in the county for shoplifting.