Do thieves miss jail by returning what they stole?

Look at the following headline in an article in The Guardian, linked here:

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Tony McNulty faces call for inquiry over £60,000 allowances

Employment minister urged to consider repaying money claimed on home in Harrow East constituency occupied by his parents

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Would repayment make any difference for this former Home Office Minister once responsible for policing and crime, security and counter-terrorism???????????
(BBC)