NCJ Number
20034
Journal
NORDISK TIDSSKRIFT FOR KRIMINALVIDENSKAB Volume: 59 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1971) Pages: 279-299
Date Published
1971
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THE USE OF INDETERMINATE SENTENCES FOR MENTALLY ILL OFFENDERS DISCUSSED AS A THREAT TO INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.
Abstract
ORIGINALLY DENMARK WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE MODERN FIGHT AGAINST PUNISHMENT, BUT THE WIDESPREAD USE OF SPECIAL SANCTIONS, VARIOUS FORMS OF INDETERMINATE SENTENCES, HAS CHANGED THE PICTURE. THE LEGAL STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE SPECIAL SANCTIONS WERE ESPECIALLY COMMONLY USED FROM THE LATE 40'S TO THE EARLY 60'S. THE AUTHOR EMPHASIZES THE REPRESSION INHERENT, AND ILLUSTRATES THROUGH CASE STUDIES THE DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN DEFINING NORMALITY AND PSYCHIC DEVIATION. THE SEVERE NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM IS FURTHER ACCENTUATED BY THE CURRENT TENDENCY IN SCANDINAVIA TO USE DEPRIVATION OF FREEDOM AS A PUNISHMENT FOR THE MOST SERIOUS CRIMES ONLY. CITATIONS FROM POLITICAL PARTY PROGRAMS SHOW THAT THERE IS PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF THE NEED FOR A PROFOUND CHANGE IN THE CONTROL POLICY. --IN DANISH