2 Theft (need measures and guidance responding to criminal tendencies)

  Most theft cases by elderly were of shoplifting. Nearly half of the cases of elderly male first-time theft offenders were due to poverty. Hence elderly offenders having the problem of being unable to work need to have welfare support immediately arranged, while providing temporary living support to the others until they are employed. In addition to this, support such as financial management guidance, etc. and living guidance, and education on the damage of alcohol, etc. as required should be provided. As shown in 2 (3) of Section 2 in Chapter 3, however, the problems of elderly female theft offenders who had been repeating shoplifting simply for possession of an object or to save money seem to differ. The measures for such offenders should include education rather than financial support. And instead of simply exempting them from criminal proceedings using suspension of prosecution, new operations could be discussed where prosecutions are provisionally suspended after confirming compensation of damages and existence of guarantors, having public prosecutors to continue to contact suspects and victims to observe the situation after the disposition, and resumption of case for public prosecution be elaborated in case there seem to be a possibility of recidivism.
  In addition, since those repeating theft and having previous imprisonment records tend to be isolated from society and do not have stable employment, it is important to discuss active treatment for them. Efforts should be made to remove their motives to repeat offenses through improved training/guidance on developing their sociability at halfway houses and active utilization of the welfare system for those unable to get employed and resolve their financial difficulties.