NCJ Number
14999
Date Published
1965
Length
242 pages
Annotation
DEFINES AND TRACES THE THOUGHT AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL DEFENSE AND SPEAKS TO SPECIFIC POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS AND CRITICISMS OF THESE CONCEPTS.
Abstract
SOCIAL DEFENSE IS PRESENTED AS A TERM TO BE APPLIED TO A MODERN COMPREHENSIVE PERSPECTIVE ON THE PROCESS FOR DEALING WITH BEHAVIOR AND PERSONS WHICH ENDANGER THE RATIONAL DYNAMIC OF A SOCIETY. WITHIN THE SOCIAL DEFENSE PERSPECTIVE LAWS ARE CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL FOR DEFINING THE CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTROLS OF BEHAVIOR THAT ENDANGERS PEOPLE'S LIVES, PROPERTY, AND RATIONAL USE OF FREEDOM. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE INTENTION OF THE LAW IS NOT TO PUNISH THE OFFENDER, BUT TO EMPLOY CONTROLS ON OFFENDING BEHAVIOR ACCORDING TO THE DANGER TO SOCIETY INHERENT IN THE ACT. REHABILITATION IS TO BE THE ESSENTIAL CHARACTER OF APPROACH TO THE OFFENDER WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF APPROPRIATE CONTROLS ON A REPITITION OF DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR. THE STRUCTURING OF A SOCIAL CLIMATE CONDUCIVE TO RATIONAL, SOCIALLY USEFUL BEHAVIOR IS ALSO AN EMPHASIS IN THE SOCIAL DEFENSE CONCEPT.