THE HISTORICAL REVIEW BEGINS WITH THE WORK OF 19TH-CENTURY 'MISSIONARIES' APPOINTED BY THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY TO ATTEND COURT SESSIONS IN ORDER TO 'RECLAIM DRUNKARDS.' THE GRADUAL EXPANSION AND FORMALIZATION OF THE PROBATION CONCEPT ARE TRACED THROUGH PASSAGE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT OF 1967, WHICH CONSOLIDATED PROBATION AND PRISON AFTERCARE SERVICES IN ONE AGENCY. THE CONSOLIDATION AGENCY'S TREND TOWARD GREATER INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS (PRIMARILY THROUGH SOCIAL INQUIRY REPORTS), SUPERVISION OF MORE SERIOUS OFFENDERS, PROVISION OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO PRISONERS, PROVISION OF AFTERCARE SERVICES FOR DELINQUENTS, AND USE OF VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST PROBATION OFFICERS IS DISCUSSED, AS IS THE BROADENING OF THE AGENCY'S SCOPE TO ENCOMPASS SUCH SERVICES AS MARRIAGE COUNSELING. FAILED ATTEMPTS TO BRING THE PROBATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICE WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ARE NOTED. THE INCREASING USE OF PROBATION HOSTELS--RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR PROBATIONERS STAFFED BY PROBATION OFFICERS--IS POINTED OUT. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBATION AND AFTER-CARE SERVICE HAS OUTGROWN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK, WHICH WAS DESIGNED WHEN THE AGENCY WAS COURT CENTERED AND HAD LIMITED HORIZONS. THE NEED FOR A NEW ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THE WIDE RANGE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE AGENCY IS STRESSED, AS ARE THE NEED FOR MORE PROBATION OFFICERS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE AGENCY'S AUTONOMY. THE CRIME PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS CITED AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF INADEQUATE RESOURCES ARE ALLOCATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF MECHANISMS FOR DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH OFFENDERS. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)