Only 15 percent of the respondents were aware that probationers were given conditional release based on compliance with probation conditions. The majority of the respondents did not know that probation attaches no conviction so as to bar probationers from certain jobs. Only 39 percent knew that probationers are supervised by the probation officer. Respondents were unanimous in their view that probation is an effective and humane method of dealing with offenders. Most felt, however, it should be limited to first offenders, minor offenders, and juvenile offenders. The majority felt that probationers benefit from probation and that they generally comply with family, job, and school responsibilities while on probation. Ninety-four percent of the respondents attributed a probationer's success to the offender's inner resolve rather than to the probation officer's intervention. Overall, findings indicate that those with personal knowledge of probationers support probation's effectiveness, but they lack knowledge of its structure, potential sanctions, and supervisory aspects. 4 tables and 3 references.