Specifically, this study assesses: (1) effectiveness of links between prison service and probation service senior managers; (2) content and implementation of Throughcare Business and Three Year Development Plans between Chief Probation Officers and Governors; (3) quality and effectiveness of the work of prison probation officers in the context of the National Framework for Throughcare; (4) contribution to sentence planning; (5) contribution made by seconded teams to victim issues and concerns, risk assessment and management of dangerous offenders; (6) services to offenders with special needs, to women offenders and to offenders from ethnic minorities; (7) views of other prison staff, prisoners and ex-prisoners; (8) effectiveness of prison probation departments in delivering services to prisoners and their families in partnership with local probation services and community organizations; and (9) arrangements for staffing and equipping departments and the physical conditions for probation officers working there. Notes, figures, appendixes, glossary