An introduction focuses on probation and parole as an alternative to incarceration, rationales for punishment, and ethical standards governing the corrections system. The text briefly examines the early introduction of probation and parole to the United States and recent improvements to the system, such as prediction models and increased reliance on volunteers. A survey of Federal and State systems' organization and operations emphasizes the important role of probation and parole in the criminal justice system. The section on officers' duties focuses on client management classification systems, presentence investigations, client supervision, and client treatment and referral. The text details counseling approaches, explaining their underlying theories and giving examples of successful applications of reality therapy, rational emotive psychotherapy, group counseling, career counseling, psychodrama, client-centered therapy, crisis intervention, art therapy, transactional analysis, and behavior modification. The final chapter explores nine major trends that will impact future probation and parole practices: victim compensation, computerization, decentralization, diversion, specialization, prediction models, experimentation and innovation, and organization development and management. Each chapter provides a list of learning objectives, discussion questions, exercises, and references. The appendix contains a glossary and a special question and exercise section to evaluate the reader's ability to perform major tasks of probation and parole officers.