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This article aims to analyze, in a concise manner, some developments in the field of probation in terms of assisting and controlling persons in conflict with the criminal law. Our approach is mainly focused on the analysis of above mentioned phenomena mainly in Anglo-Saxon countries such as Canada, USA and the UK, countries with a relevant tradition in community treatment of offenders. Starting initially as an activity carried out on a voluntary basis, with a strong moral and religious foundation, focused primarily on assisting offenders, probation would be integrated into the criminal justice system. Subsequently with this transition we noticed a phenomenon of professionalization of staff, an abandonment of old missionary practices and integration in probation practice of some developments of disciplines in the fields of Humanities: sociology, psychology and social work. Also another phenomenon that can be observed is the strengthening of the control role of criminals carried out by probation services, and even a lesser importance placed on its rehabilitation activities, particularly as a result of some factors in relation to political decisions. Despite these developments, the practice and research still are focused on identifying effective ways to rehabilitate the persons supervised by probation services.
Keywords: probation, assistance, counseling, control, rehabilitation
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