It might not be OK but sometimes it is just plain old survival.The woman that came up with this is a moron.
Its okay to steal if you are poor?? I'll just stand over here and LMFAO.
I know from experience
in jail you get three meals a day, just given to you.
If DEATH is the alternative, then not arresting the thieves is not doing them any favors.
How much time do you suppose a 14 year old will get for stealing a bag of chips because he hadn't eaten all day?
I have no idea, and if you think that is the average shoplifter, you never worked in retail.
Shoplifters are more often drug addicts looking for something they can sell or trade for drugs.