A RETAIL THEFT EDUCATION PROGRAM ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES FOR DEALING WITH ADOLESCENT OFFENDERS

In the past three years, the Alternatives Counseling Services has been treating and educating adolescents who have come to the attention of the criminal justice system for various reasons: truancy, maladaptive behavior at home and at school, underage drinking, and most recently, compulsive and impulsive behavior regarding retail theft. The study we have conducted explores, through an educational and prevention program, the social and emotional factors surrounding the offender who commits retail theft. Our study covers an 18-month period (April 1987 to October 1988).