ABSTRACT
Tracking Progress on Probation (and later Tracking Progress after Probation) is a longitudinal study of almost 200 men and women who started probation supervision in 1997. When they commenced supervision, probation orders in England and Wales typically lasted between 6 and 24 months. As well as getting what was known as ‘straight’ probation (i.e. supervision with a named probation officer, with or without the requirement to repay damages to the victim, undertake particular programmes and so on) some people were given what were known as combination orders, which included the above and a set number of hours of community service. It was these sorts of community disposals, which the sample members were given.
