Modifications of the Belgian Social Defense Law: Change and Continuity

Reflecting above all a criminal policy of social defence, the Belgian law of 9 April 1930 on social defence with respect to the mentally handicapped and persistent delinquents has been subject to several modifications, the most recent being that of 2007. Though these modifications have generally led to an increase in the categories of people or behaviour which are affected by the law, as well as altering the balance between medical and legal proceedings, they have not fundamentally affected the nature or the objectives of these measures. They therefore can be seen as constituting change – not negligible change – but clearly within an ambit of continuity.