IN THE 1950'S, THE SERVICE WAS LITTLE MORE THAN AN ADJUNCT TO THE COURTS, PRIMARILY PROVIDING SUPERVISION FOR PERSONS PLACED ON PROBATION. ONLY LIMITED AFTER-CARE WORK WAS PERFORMED, PRIMARILY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS DISCHARGED FROM INSTITUTIONS. SINCE THAT TIME, DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PENAL FIELD IN ENGLAND AND WALES HAVE BEEN PARALLELED BY CHANGES IN THE SERVICE'S RESPONSIBILITIES. THE AGENCY NOW STAFFS THE WELFARE DEPARTMENTS OF PRISONS; DEALS WITH THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF CRIME -- BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER SENTENCING; PROVIDES SOCIAL WORK INQUIRY REPORTS FOR USE BY THE COURTS; WORKS WITH PERSONS WHO BRING MATRIMONIAL AND OTHER DOMESTIC PROBLEMS TO THE COURTS; AND RUNS HOSTELS AND DAY CENTERS FOR OFFENDERS. THE SERVICE HAS GROWN AWAY FROM ITS EMPHASIS ON ONE-TO-ONE CASEWORK. WHERE THAT STRATEGY IS STILL EMPLOYED, IT TENDS TO BE TASK-CENTERED AND LIMITED IN DURATION RATHER THAN OPEN-ENDED. PROBATION OFFICERS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY INTERESTED IN THE CONCEPTS OF CLIENT-OFFICER CONTRACTS AND TEAMWORK. PAROLE OFFICERS ARE ALSO MORE CONCERNED WITH THE RESOURCES OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE PAROLED CLIENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY.