The first three papers summarize the history of evaluation research in probation over the last 30 years, the relationship of evaluation research to major shifts in probation thinking, and the limitations of recidivism rates as a measure of the effectiveness of sentences. Additional papers examine problems encountered in trying to assess the Tackling Offending initiative, the intensive probation initiative launched by the Great Britain Home Office in the late 1980s, and the evaluation of four experimental probation programs in Scotland. Further papers focus on definitions related to community service programs and their evaluations, as well as intensive probation programs in the United States. The final papers present a framework for research into cost-effectiveness, outline the case for using scientific realism rather than a quasi-experimental approach, and describe a Canadian research project that uses a scientific realist design. Figures, tables, and chapter reference lists