Is shoplifting a crime or is it a mental illness?

Question

what should we do about it, is it right to put people in prison or tie them down for hours at a time for it?

Answer 1

It's a crime. You know you'll be punished for doing it. So don't do it.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Shoplifting is a crime in the eyes of the law.

When it comes to an indivitual, it is a mental illness. There are many forms of mental illness and different reasons for the cause of the illness. Shoplifting could also be the side-effect or the outcome of that mental illness.

If that person is caught by the law, he/she will be out behind bars, if that person is caught by a normal person who does not understand the nature of what mentaly ill truly means, would probably tie that person down. Either way, it will not solve the problem.

First, find the reason why he/she shoplifts. When you understand that reason, you will know how to solve it. Also keep in mind of the shoplifter's character/mind-set/behaviour patterns and such. Because people tend to take the same things in different ways because of who they are. For example, if the shoplifter is in denial or very ego-istic, i am sure he/she will start to avoid you the minute you try to help them. If, what you say/do does not seem to help the person who is ill, understand why it did not work and try something else. And you too need to be strong-minded and patient too with a person who is unwell mentally.

And it is always best if you could bring that person to see a psychotherapist, since these people know what to do/say.

Answer 4

Shoplifting is a crime. Some may shoplift do to a mental illness or compulsion to try and fill some empty place in them. Some may shoplift out of genuine desperation to obtain needs. It is for them a matter of survival. However for the majority of shoplifters, it is due to greed. Stores and law officers do not have the time, the ability or even the desire to sift through the shoplifters who are caught and determine which is which.

Answer 5

Well the United States Government and most or all local Government considers shoplifting a crime and punishable with a fine and or some time in jail. If a person is a habitual shoplifter he or she may need to seek mental help.

Answer 6

Shoplifting is a chosen behavior, therefore it is a crime. However, there is a mental disorder in which a person becomes consumed with stealing. The objects stolen might not even be needed or wanted. This disorder is called kleptomania. While having Kleptomania in itself is not a crime; still, acting on the urges IS a crime.

Answer 7

Some people steal out of a perceived necessity (food, clothing, anything else that the person thinks they need and can't pay for)

Some people steal because they can (people that are involved in heists or other big time robberies)

And others steal because they just can't help themselves from helping themselves (cleptomania)

For the first two reasons it is a crime. For the last, it is an illness.

Answer 8

shoplifting can be a behavior displayed by the mentally ill, but it's not mental illness itself. there are deep psychological problems that cause it though. tying people down won't work, and depending on the nature of the problem, prison doesn't work all the time either.
therapy can help more, in my opinion.

Answer 9

Shoplifting is a crime and compulsive stealing is a mental issue called kleptomania. I don't think it works well as a defense in court though.

Answer 10

It is both.

When you can prove that you have an obsession because of mental illness, they do not put you in prison but give you a good psychologist.

When you are not such case, you are a thief. This is simply crime.

Answer 11

It's a crime even if it is caused by a mental illness. Someone who has these compulsions would know that it was wrong, but would be doing it anyways.