THE THEORETICAL BACKGROUND BEHIND THE EVALUATION APPROACH FOR THE OTTAWA CRIMINAL COURT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (OCCVP) IS OUTLINED. THIS THEORETICAL RATIONALE SUGGESTS THAT THE NATURAL BEHAVIORAL DETERRENTS TO CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WOULD BECOME OPERATIONAL IF THE OFFENDER BECOMES INVOLVED IN A RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH: (1) ANTICRIMINAL VALUES, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIOURS ARE EXPECTED, EXPRESSED AND REINFORCED AND (2) REWARDING PERSONAL HABITS AND LIFE SKILLS ARE ACQUIRED, SO THAT (3) THERE IS AN INCREASED VARIETY AND QUALITY OF REINFORCEMENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THE EVALUATION WAS TO TEST THE RELATIONSHIP OF FIVE DIMENSIONS OF VOLUNTEER-CLIENT INTERACTION TO PROBATION OUTCOME. THESE DIMENSIONS ARE AUTHORITY, PROBLEM SOLVING, EXPRESSION OF ANTICRIMINAL ATTITUDES, ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITATION, AND RELATIONSHIP. SEVERAL FACTORS OF INTEREST IN RELATION TO BOTH SUPERVISORY PROCESS AND IMPACT ON THE CLIENT ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. THESE INCLUDE TYPE OF SUPERVISION (VOLUNTEER OR PROFESSIONAL); TYPE OF SUPERVISOR; CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLIENT; AND THE MATCHING OF SUPERVISOR AND CLIENT. IT IS NOTED THAT THE RESEARCH FOCUSES ON THE SPECIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF THE MAJOR DIMENSIONS OF SUPERVISORY PROCESS AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH SUPERVISORY PROCESS AND OUTCOME ARE RELATED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC