Social Work and the Probation Service

In recent years the Probation Service has nearly doubled in size, has been given new responsibilities as a result of criminal justice legislation, and, inevitably, has developed more bureaucratic organizational structures. How these changes have affected the traditional community-based nature of its work is the backdrop to this study, which identifies some inherent dilemmas and contradictions. Questions of theory and of resources are placed alongside practice issues and the realities of local communities and profiles of eight neighbourhoods form an integral part of the work. The assumption throughout is that, without an infrastructure to support the practice of community probation work, the practice itself will remain stunted. The authors' emphasis on the need for specific policies and resources, and their analysis of the political implications - for the Probation Service and for government - make important reading.