THE LARGEST CHANGE IN THE FEDERAL PROBATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN ITS EXPANSION FROM 640 FIELD OFFICERS IN FISCAL YEAR 1972 TO 1,468 OFFICERS IN FISCAL 1975. MOST OF THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE YOUNG WITH TRAINING IN SOCIAL WORK. THIS HAS UPGRADED THE QUALITY OF SERVICE. SPECIAL PROGRAMS HANDLED BY THIS EXPANDED FORCE INCLUDE: EXPANSION OF DEFERRED PROBATION WHICH, TO DATE, HAS PLACED MORE THAN 200 SELECTED OFFENDERS IN COMMUNITY PROGRAMS UNDER PROBATION SUPERVISION WITHOUT FORMAL COURT APPEARANCES; THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE DRAFT EVASION AMNESTY PROGRAM; AN EX-OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM; EXPANSION OF HALFWAY HOUSES AND COMMUNITY TREATMENT CENTERS; EXPANSION OF NARCOTIC AFTERCARE SERVICES FOR CONVICTED ADDICTS; A PILOT PROGRAM TO TEST REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR EX-OFFENDERS; AND A PILOT PROGRAM TO USE PARAPROFESSIONALS AS PROBATION OFFICER CASE AIDES. A PILOT PROJECT TO PROVIDE SURETY BONDS FOR EX-OFFENDERS WAS INITIATED IN SEVERAL CITIES BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. THE PROGRAM WAS SUCCESSFUL AND RECEIVED MANY REFERRALS; HOWEVER, FULL IMPLEMENTATION HAS BEEN DELAYED. SURETY BONDING IS PRESENTLY AVAILABLE THROUGH STATE EMPLOYMENT OFFICES. THE FEDERAL PROBATION OFFICER ALSO PERFORMS TRADITIONAL COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY AGENCY REFERRAL FUNCTIONS. GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED FOR ALL PROBATION WORK INCLUDE AN INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT FOR EACH OFFENDER, A PLAN FOR THE PROBATION PERIOD, AND A CONTINUING CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PROBATIONER AS WELL AS THE WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY. AN EXTENSION TRAINING PROGRAM HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED AND CONTINUAL INSERVICE EDUCATION IS OFFERED. (GLR)