ABSTRACT
The question of the relationship between social and penal policies is relatively complex because it implies more fundamentally an analysis of the state and thus the adoption of both an historical and a macro-sociological approach. A methodological problem arises given the numerous and diverse empirical indicators that necessitate choices which may then orientate the interpretations of the changes at work. What is more, there is also the difficulty of comparative analysis, even when it is limited to western societies presenting numerous similarities. Although such limits make analysis hazardous and should be kept in mind when drawing up contributions to the debate, they should not paralyse us.
