The first issues concerns the principle that a community has the right to protect its members from serious harm from both outsiders and from other members of the community. The second issue lies in classifying those offenses which are considered to be serious or dangerous. The third issue involves the process of identifying persons who are most likely to commit those serious harms. The fourth issue discussed here is the community's response to the perceived threat of serious harm, and the effectiveness of that response. The final issue related to the validity of criteria to be used in assessing the suitability for release of persons classified and detained as dangerous. 12 references