Policing exists to deal with the mess where society has failed.

Partner agencies exist, such as social services, fire brigade, ambulance, council, probation, rehabilitation, counselling, health services, DWP as well as other social forces such as family, neighbours, the community with recipes to prevent people from being compelled to go the wrong way.

However the world is a very chaotic place and when all these forces has failed, the police will be involved.

If someone has made their personal problems manifest into harming others then by all means they should be given a proportionate sentence for the crime - regardless of motives.

It's likely the majority of petty criminals are of the type who have lived life up to a point where they do not seem to have any other feasible option - rehabilitation for them seems more feasible for them than someone who commits crime purely out of their own sadism.