Part I defines and assesses the PSIR's function; the relation of the PSIR to sentencing purposes; the sentencing decision in practice; the economics of sentencing; and the obtaining of information for the PSIR, particularly through interviews. Part II presents the content of the PSIR, including the kinds of information in the report and guidelines for collecting this information. PSIR contents are divided into criminal history, family history, social history, development history, and attitudes and psychological summary. The framing of the sentence, the plea agreement, and the recommendation are also discussed, as are special versions of the PSIR. Part III addresses the correctional role of the PSIR, notably in offender classification and probation supervision. The book concludes with a discussion of the management of the PSIR process and the future of the PSIR. Exercises, discussion topics, appended forms and samples, suggested reading, notes, subject index.