In an age where it is strongly advocated that criminals are not born but are created by adverse and oppressive social conditions, a concern for the protection of society, as also for promoting the interests of offender as a human person belonging to a civilized society, social defense is gaining wide currency. In its narrowest sense social defense, confines to the treatment and welfare of persons coming in conflict with law. In the broader context, it includes within its ambit the entire gamut of preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to control deviance in general, and crime that may lead to social disorganization. Thus, social defense is a deliberate and organized effort made by society to defend itself against the onslaught of disruptive forces which endanger its law and order, impeding it’s’ socio-economic development. The magnitude of violation of the prevalent laws has made it essential to formulate policies and plans and organize programs to prevent illegal activities, as well as and treat and rehabilitate the offenders in order to help them contribute their best towards effective functioning of society.

Social defense includes measures to prevention and control of juvenile delinquency and crime, welfare services in prisons, aftercare services for discharged prisoners, probation services, suppression of immoral traffic, prevention of beggary and rehabilitation of beggars, prevention and control of drug abuse and alcoholism and treatment and rehabilitation of the affected. Correctional services which are part of social defense programs employ social workers as care workers, probation officers, managers of juvenile cadres, etc.

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000
• Children Act,1960
• Suppression of Immoral Traffic in women Act,1956
• Prevention of Begging Act,1959