This book tells the story of probation from its religious beginnings in 1876 and legislative footing in 1907, through to the present day. The substantive chapters of the book cover the period 1979-2005, and explore probation by alluding to crime; imprisonment; politics and power; increasing central control and bureaucracy; criminology; and penal and social policy. Written by authors who have spent many years within the probation service, and therefore been involved in events they describe, the book provides a unique insight into probation over the last 25 years. It will be of great interest to serving probation and prison staff, and will be a resource for trainee probation officers, and also be helpful to students of criminal justice, penal and social policy in colleges and universities. It will, in fact, appeal to all those who want a deeper understanding of the recent changes in probation. The book has been written to coincide with the approaching centenary of probation in 2007, and it challenges certain political initiatives over recent years that have culminated in the demise of the probation ideal.