Probation has been an historically important option for sanctioning criminal offending since the mid 1800s. Originally grounded in notions of volunteerism and community engagement to support rehabilitation of less serious offenders ‘through understanding, kindness, and sustained moral suasion’, probation was quickly institutionalized around the world as a major component of the criminal justice system. But modern probation practice is now struggling to define its proper aim, priorities and ways of working. Probation varies considerably across jurisdictions in how it is structured and organized, how well it is resourced, and how commonly it is used. But clearly what modern probation practice is ‘able’ to do in many jurisdictions does not match with what it ‘should’ do. The article will highlight some key challenges faced by probation and suggest some ways forward for it to get closer to what it ‘should’ do – in adopting a well- integrated and evidence informed model of practice.

中文翻译：

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缓刑实践的发展和挑战：有没有办法建立有效和可持续的缓刑制度？

自 1800 年代中期以来，缓刑一直是制裁刑事犯罪的重要历史选择。缓刑最初基于志愿服务和社区参与的概念，以“通过理解、善意和持续的道德劝告”支持较轻罪犯的康复，缓刑很快在世界范围内制度化，成为刑事司法系统的一个主要组成部分。但是现代缓刑实践现在正在努力确定其正确的目标、优先事项和工作方式。缓刑在不同司法管辖区的结构和组织方式、资源充足程度以及使用频率方面差异很大。但很明显，现代缓刑实践在许多司法管辖区“能够”做的事情与其“应该”做的事情并不相符。