Offending as a Decision – on the Constitution of the Not-Yet-Offender Between Criminality and Medical Prevention

Abstract

Prevention characterises the present society – and transforms not only itself but societal sub arenas. Therapy and self-help for male paedophiles exemplify how medicinal and judicial logics intertwine and complement each other. Respective therapeutic concepts constitute the subject position of the not-yet-offender, who is oriented towards an offence and therefore presents a danger. At the same time, the constant situational decision not to offend promises social recognition and forward-looking conduct. The article is based on a sociology of knowledge analysis of therapeutic manuals and materials. It reconstructs the preventive shift towards the not-yet-offender in the synchronisation of medicine and justice.