According to the Telegraph, a pilot scheme being launched by the Norwich Police will put teenage shoplifters to work in the city's restaurants and shops. the scheme aims to give them the chance to pay their dues to society without getting a criminal record.
What do you think of this idea? Would you like it rolled out in your town or city?
I’m sure that there are some businesses out there wanting to support schemes such as this one to keep young offenders on the straight and narrow. However it would completely depend on the attitude of the offender and the support network available to the business – no business would want a surly young person with a bad attitude person working for them I’m sure but then again those type of offenders are unlikely to be the ones enrolled on this scheme such as this one in the first place.Overall I think this scheme sounds good as long as the business goes into it with their eyes open and also has a decent support network available if things go wrong. Addressing this type of behaviour early-on can help ensure that petty offenders don't turn into life-long offenders in and out of prison , trialling different ways of addressing this can only be a positive thing. However I'm sure there are lots of different opinions out there.....