Martinson's (1974) analysis of over 200 studies of rehabilitation programs in the United States was conducted at the height of positivism and when reduced or no recidivism was the only meaningful outcome for corrections. Martinson reported that "With few and isolated exceptions the rehabilitative efforts that have been reported so far have had no rehabilitative effect on recidivism." It has taken over two decades for confidence in community-based programs for offenders in North America to recover from Martinson's attack. Many academic researchers are now far more optimistic that some programs may work for some offenders under some conditions. Although all Australian jurisdictions have established community corrections programs, the apparently negative response in Victoria to the development of even a punitive sanction such as home detention is not uncommon. The media have not played a part in encouraging members of the public to view community programs with favor. Despite the limited nature of Australian-specific research on the effectiveness and credibility of community corrections, there are also signs that the growing confidence among researchers has parallels elsewhere. Apparently, probation officers view changes in their practice positively if they feel they are in charge of the changes. Measures that increase the stake that community organizations and remote communities have in community-based programs may improve the credibility of the programs with the general public. 87 references