The study sample included all parolees and offenders on suspended sentences starting supervision within the 6-month period from August 1, 1996, to January 31, 1997. The 1,579 offenders were asked to complete questionnaires at the beginning and end of their supervision. Most offenders said they benefited from supervision, and many felt supervision helped them in trying to live law-abiding lives. This surprising finding is explained primarily by the position of supervision as an extension of the common social security system that often cannot cope with multi-problem offenders. Study findings also emphasize a basic but primarily disregarded condition for achieving success in helping and treating offenders--the relationship between offender and helper. 17 references and 1 table