NCJ Number
86053
Journal
Journal of Offender Counseling Services and Rehabilitation Volume: 6 Issue: 1 and 2 Dated: (Fall/Winter 1981) Pages: 89-102
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study describes the use of short-term treatment with adjudicated first-offender shoplifters.
Abstract
From September 1977 through January 1979, the Bossier City Court (Louisiana) assigned adjudicated first-offender shoplifters to 8-week therapy groups in lieu of or as an adjunct to other prescribed penalties. Through the use of the psychotherapeutic treatment modality of group process, an attempt was made to determine whether such intervention reduced the shoplifting recidivism rate. Collection of information through personal inventories and other sources added to the general body of knowledge of shoplifter behavior. The study determined differences in rearrest statistics between shoplifters participating in an adolescent therapy group and those participating in an adolescent therapy group and those participating in adult therapy groups. It measured the important personality factor of ego strength through the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Findings revealed that the 8 weeks of group psychotherapy did not result in a significant increase in ego strength in individuals subjected to therapy. However, the present study showed no rearrests for any of the individuals in any treatment group after the 90-day followup. The fact that participants were referred by the court may play an important role in this finding, and further research using a larger subject population is recommended. Data tables and a 26-entry bibliography are provided.