ABSTRACT
In Part One the scene was set. The uncertainty of the future for the probation service was a theme clearly identified. While Vanstone talked of a past probation service with a rich history full of creativity and experimentation, he sees this attitude and approach being squeezed out with the move towards a law enforcement and management agency that would do little more than assess risk and sequencing of interventions. One may think, therefore, that the flexibility and innovation in a struggle to develop better and more effective ways of supervision has been stifled!
