THE PREVENTIVE FUNCTION OF A PENALTY IS A CENTRAL PROBLEM IN FIGHTING CRIME. CRIME PREVENTION, OR PROPHYLACTICS, USES THE SOCIAL COURTS ESTABLISHED IN 1965, TO REPLACE PENAL REPRESSION WITH AN EDUCATIONAL INFLUENCE IN SOME CASES. WHILE EMPHASIZING SEVERE PENALTIES FOR THE MORE DANGEROUS CRIMES, THE SCOPE AND INTENSITY OF PENAL REPRESSIVE NORMS ARE BEING NARROWED AND DECREASED IN POLAND. AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF CRIME PROBLEMS IN 1974, RESEARCH RESULTS CONCERNING THE CAUSES OF CRIME BECAME SIGNIFICANT. PROSECUTORS MAY INFORM THE SUPERVISORY ORGAN IF SIGNIFICANT DERELICTIONS OF DUTIES OF STATE OR SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE CONDUCIVE TO OFFENSES. IN SOME CASES, PROCEEDINGS MAY BE INITIATED AGAINST THE OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE. PROSECUTORS MAY MEET WITH THE WORKING CLASS OR REPRESENTATIVES TO INITIATE PROPHYLACTIC DISCUSSIONS. STATE INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES RELATED TO CRIME PREVENTION: PHYSICAL PROTECTION OF PROPERTY AND PERSONS, TRAFFIC SAFETY, ECONOMIC SECURITY, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING. AMENDING THE FAMILY AND TUTELAR LAW INTENSIFIED THE POLICY TO PROTECT CHILDREN BY EMPHASIZING CHILD MAINTENANCE AND ALIMONY. LEGAL CODES REGULATING THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE ECONOMY SHOULD PREVENT CRIME, BUT IN SOME INSTANCES, THE REGULATIONS DO IN FACT FACILITATE THE COMMISSION OF A CRIMINAL ACT. LEGISLATION IS PROPOSED THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE SUPPORT FOR PROPHYLACTIC ACTIVITY MAKING IT MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT. TABULAR DATA, REFERENCES, AND FOOTNOTES ARE NOT PROVIDED. (JCP)