AN INTRODUCTORY COMMENT NOTES THAT TWO OF THE MOST CRUCIAL QUESTIONS RAISED IN THE ARTICLES CONCERN THE TYPES OF PERSONNEL RESOURCES MOST NEEDED IN PROBATION SERVICES AND THE BEST PURPOSES TO WHICH THESE RESOURCES MIGHT BE DIRECTED. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DIRECTED TO THE USE OF LAY VOLUNTEERS IN PROBATION WORK AND TO THE CONSIDERABLE VARIATION IN THE EXTENT TO WHICH DIFFERENT COUNTRIES USE VOLUNTEERS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROBATION AND AFTERCARE SERVICE OF ENGLAND AND WALES INTO A MULTIFACETED AGENCY THAT HANDLES A VARIETY OF CASES (E.G., MATRIMONIAL CONCILIATION, SUPERVISION OF SERIOUS OFFENDERS, AFTERCARE WORK WITH INMATES AND THEIR FAMILIES) IS REVIEWED. THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER TEAMS TO PROVIDE PRISON WELFARE AND AFTERCARE SERVICES IN BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, ARE DESCRIBED. AN AMERICAN AUTHOR COMMENTS BRIEFLY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROBATION PLANS. OTHER ARTICLES OFFER OVERVIEWS OF PROBATION SERVICES IN DENMARK, FINLAND, NORWAY, SWEDEN, NEW ZEALAND, POLAND, AND BELGIUM. LEGAL AND SOCIAL FACTORS INFLUENCING PROBATION IN ISRAEL ARE CONSIDERED. THE SCIENTIFIC VALUE OF PROBATION'S EXPERIENCE WITH OFFENDERS IS STRESSED IN A DISCUSSION OF PROBATION AS CRIMINOLOGY IN ACTION. ALSO INCLUDED IS AN ENGLISH PROBATION OFFICER'S REVIEW OF AN AMERICAN ANTHOLOGY ON PROBATION AND PAROLE. SEE NCJ-53750 AND 53751 FOR ARTICLES ON ENGLAND AND WALES AND ON NEW ZEALAND. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)