ABSTRACT
This chapter will examine the changing nature and working practice of English and Welsh probation officers, and their struggle throughout their history to retain autonomy over their 'professional'2 work in the community. A case study is given of the new National Probation Service of England and Wales that has recently challenged the previous nature and direction of professional probation practice by suggesting that 'nothing short of deep-rooted cultural change' (Wallis 2001, p. 5) is required to improve what is seen as a wellmeaning but seemingly amateurish image of the probation service if it is to be taken seriously at the present time and in the foreseeable future.
