DATA FOR THIS STUDY WAS COLLECTED FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF SOURCES, INCLUDING INTERVIEWS WITH THE CANADIAN JUDICIARY, INTERVIEWS WITH PERSONS INVOLVED IN PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS, A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF 234 PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION REPORTS, SURVEYS OF PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICERS (P/PO), SURVEYS OF JUDGES, AND A SURVEY OF 19 REPRESENTATIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ARE DISCUSSED WITH RESPECT TO FIVE MAJOR AREAS OF INVESTIGATION: FORMAT, STYLE, AND CONTENT OF REPORTS; TYPES OF INVESTIGATION MADE BY THE PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICER IN CONSTRUCTING THE REPORT; THE OFFICER'S WORKLOAD AND ROLE AS A PRESENTENCE REPORT WRITER; THE ROLE OF THE OFFICER IN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT; AND THE USES MADE OF THE PRESENTENCE REPORT BY MANY GROUPS. RECOMMENDATIONS ON IMPROVEMENT OF EACH OF THESE FIVE AREAS ARE PROVIDED....DMC