In a libertarian society, agressors would be required to compensate their victims and pay for costs of their trial and apprehension. Studies 1 show that such restitution is one of the most effective deterrents known. Thieves unwilling to make payments toward a court-ordered judgment would most likely be placed in a work prison. In addition to compensating their victims, inmates would be required to pay the expensive costs of imprisonment. Most thieves would probably make compensation payments rather than risk such a huge increase in their liability and the loss of their liberty.
Most people steal because they are poor and have few marketable skills.
It would be literally impossible for such people to repay their victims, let alone the costs of their trial and apprehension. Most people who steal are able-bodied, and could easily perform simple factory work. They are indeed capable of providing substantial restitution to their victims. 1 Many companies currently employ inmates for telephone work, such as booking airline reservations. 2 Working trains inmates to support themselves after release and gives them an alternative to crime.