The purpose of this study was to identify probation officers' ideologies of crime and to describe the aims and factors which are associated with the different recommendations probation officers make in their social inquiry reports. Variables a) Structured Questionnaire Probation officers' role in the courts, functions in social inquiry reports and observations about punishment and treatment in sentencing. Aims and factors in different recommendations. Likert scale, including statements about explanations for offence behaviour. b) Standardised Social Inquiry Reports Six 'mock' social inquiry reports were given to respondents. Likely and preferred recommendation aims and factors which seemed relevant in each case. c) Sample of Actual Social Inquiry Reports Nature of report, details of the offence and circumstances, motivational accounts, Likert scale, decision-making processes in recommendation, aims and factors in recommendation decisions, sentence. d) Large Sample of Recommendations Data from records on: agency, probation officer, court, sex of offender, recommendation and disposition.