This is a common theme especially in any country with cold winters. People will commit low level crimes that will ensure just enough prison time to survive the

This is a common theme especially in any country with cold winters. People will commit low level crimes that will ensure just enough prison time to survive the winter when they're either homeless or their home offers little o no guarantee they will survive a very cold night (no money for heating). Sometimes the prison system is bad enough that most people wouldn't resort to this unless it's a life and death situation. So probably nothing of principle (not wanting to take pity money) or not just as a method to save some more money for a few years.