Probation home visits have historically been used in the control/law enforcement function of probation work as well as in the treatment/service function; however, the current state of probation -- dramatically affected by burgeoning caseloads, increased numbers of "difficult" clients, and emerging issues of officer safety -- has made it necessary to rethink the concept of home visits. Now many agencies are limiting home visits to high-risk cases solely for control. This approach is consistent with a shift in probation practice towards a law enforcement orientation. Probation might be better served through bifurcated officer roles, with some serving solely as control officers, trained and equipped to perform control tasks and others providing social and rehabilitation services. Another variation would be to hire less qualified and lower paid surveillance officers to work as part of a team with probation officers. 35 references