In Britain those who steal are not sent to jail but are held in some sort of esteem. They usually get paid quite a high salary and people tend to trust them despite their own wisdom.
But that's socialist political leaders for you
Dubhdara.
dubhdara are you serious or being sarcastic? In the US, it depends upon the value of what was stolen and did you have a weapon, etc. A simple theft of something low in value like maybe a $30 shirt would probably just get you fined and put on probation. However, if you rob a bank at gunpoint, you will go to jail.
That is based upon the secular laws of the US. My religion would require repentance and restitution.