Ten years ago, probation was hailed as the brightest hope for corrections. However, it is now experiencing unprecedented strain. Its caseloads are increasing and it is serving more serious offenders, while its budgets are being cut. Nevertheless, it offers the most viable available alternative to prison in the face of prison overcrowding. To address probation's current problems, States are restructuring probation services away from offender treatment and toward control and surveillance. Innovative programs appear to hold promise, but many issues are unresolved. Among these are the appropriate participants and the programs' effectiveness. If these new programs prove successful over time and across jurisdictions, probation will have demonstrated that it can design and operate community-based programs that are safe, hold offenders accountable, and do not compromise public safety. 8 references.