The concept of intermediate sanctions is essentially a desert-based idea. Desert theory takes the view that when considering what penal measure to take, the main criteria to be applied is the seriousness of the offense, with some secondary allowance made for the prior criminal record. Within this framework, there may be substitutability of penalties. For example, there can be a penalty which emphasizes deterrence while another penalty emphasizes community reparation and compensation. A probation service organized around the principles of intermediate sanctions; probation as a social work agency; and a service coherently related to other agencies and to the courts may be the probation service of the future. 13 notes, 3 figures, 15 references.