ABSTRACT
In many respects, proba tion is a way of giving an offender another chance. Probation repres ents one of the unique devel op ments within the crim inal justice system; it provided a mech an ism to divert offend ers from further involve ment with the correc tional system, which was a crucial aspect of the rise of the rehab ilit a tion model in this country. Any study of proba tion must begin with an analysis of its prede cessors. This chapter begins with a histor ical review that will help explain how proba tion, both for adults and for juven iles, developed into its current forms and prac tices. The second portion of this chapter focuses on the grant ing of proba tion and how it exists today.
