It broke my heart...

I was reading an article in the paper the other day that broke my heart.

Someone was caught stealing from a shop. They stole something that cost R12.99. What they stole was shoe polish for their little brother who was going to school. The guy wanted his little brother to look smart like the other kids.

Instead of the store being socially responsible about it, they prosecuted the guy. The guy (predictably) could not afford the R150 fine, so he is spending a month in prison.

Now I fully believe that stealing is wrong and that little theft can lead to bigger theft - but come on - how about handing the person over to social services? How about making him pack at a till for a day? It isn't as if the guy was stealing to benefit himself. Have a heart. How can you compare him to our violent criminals who usually don't even stay in prison for a month... How can you compare him to those who speed 40km over the speed limits on our roads and don't go to prison?

Where are peoples hearts? Don't we have time or any resources to treat crimes in the way they deserve?