NCJ Number
82803
Journal
Social Defence Volume: 16 Issue: 63 Dated: (January 1981) Pages: 33-42
Date Published
1981
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This Indian paper discusses social defense research in terms of purpose, historical development, focus, methodology, current status, reason for neglect of the field, and priorities.
Abstract
Social defense research is seen as a systematic inquiry aimed at broadening empirical knowledge about criminals, crime, and control of deviant behavior through various corrective, protective, and preventive devices. Although the concept of social defense had its origins in the work of Bentham, Beccaria, Lombroso, and others, the term as it is applied today was first articulated in 1948. Social defense research has been traditionally concerned with the etiology of criminal and delinquent behavior. Recently, attention has turned to evaluation of correctional institutions in terms of impact upon offenders. Historically, methodology has conformed with research methods and techniques as applied to other human sciences, such as biology, psychology, and sociology. Statistical and mathematical techniques are used to augment the analytical quality of data. The development of a sound research tradition in social defense has been thwarted by the fact that too many people in the field have little or no appreciation of what good research involves and what can be expected from it. It is anticipated that social defense research priorities in the future will include evaluation of the cost effectiveness of corrective and rehabilitative programs, administrative styles suited to the new correctional environment, and impact studies of institutional standards and facilities. The paper provides 11 references.