Drawing on the authors' extensive experience of working in the criminal justice and penal systems, this book presents a clear description and analysis of the stages and components of probation and parole work. Probation and parole are two vital components of any criminal justice system. Practitioners working in both are responsible for the assessment and supervision of those members of society who have committed criminal offences and are subject to court-ordered penal sanction. Those working in probation and parole must bring a range of knowledge and skills to bear in their daily work: championing community safety and justice, promoting offender reintegration, and seeking to reduce offending and the harm it causes. All of that practice is in turn underpinned by law. Professional practice in probation and parole is also increasingly informed by research findings regarding 'what works' and indeed 'who works.'