An early hit for ATV, this absorbing, rigorously researched and very human drama series centres on the work of a team of probation officers based in London, and the lives of the men and women of all ages and backgrounds who come under their care. Drawing on the documentary skills of creator Julian Bond and produced by Emergency - Ward 10s Antony Kearey, Probation Officer was broadcast at a time when the service was increasingly coming into focus as progressive response to rising crime.
Episode 1
Philip Main is recruited has a probation officer. Arthur Finney was arrested for burglary. The prison doctor says the boy has been a marijuana addict for three months. Main attempts to build a relationship with the boy and his parents.
Episode 2
Mr. Alexander asks Philip Main to help him to persuade his son Johnny not to marry white girl Mary Sadler. When a razor gang attack the pair, he kills one in self defence. Mary decides to comes forward to give evidence in his defence.
Episode 3
Residivist Patsy Morley convinces the Judge that he is worth another chance, so Philip Main has to access him for probation. Meanwhile marijuana addict Arthur Finney has been sent to the psychiatric ward and is desperate to talk to Main..
Episode 4
No overview available.
Episode 5
An old friend of Philip Main, Corporal Len Grantham contacts him for help with his marriage. He says his German wife, Eva is seeing a married man Mr. Daniels and wants it to stop. Jim Blake thinks that Iris Cope must deal with the wife.
Episode 6
Iris Cope is given the task of helping Carrie West, a doctor's daughter given a two years probation for stealing. Her parents are unable to control her behaviour so Iris has no choice but to hand her over to senior colleague Miss Randell.
Episode 7
Former regular army officer Colonel Chester is in court for using his cane to smash a car windscreen. Philip Main has to make a probation report and realises the Colonel could be perfect solution for dealing with jailbird Nobby Clarke.
Episode 8
Con Barnes is released from borstal and starts a knife fight with Larry Melvin. Both are arrested. When Blake visits Melvin's family they turn on him. Meanwhile Lily Smith changes Barnes narrative and leaves facing Melvin a long sentence.
Episode 9
No overview available.
Episode 10
The probation officers deal with two cases: the sliding fortunes of ex-pilot Mark Kennedy and the theft of a baby by its nanny.
Episode 11
No overview available.
Episode 12
A doctor feels isolated by his sexuality.
Episode 13
During a Ban the Bomb demonstration a police horse rider is felled. Peter Fry is the nearest person and arrested. He is sentenced to 14 years in jail, suspended for one year. Main needs to persuade him to keep to the terms of his release.
Episode 14
Joyce Langley and Kathleen Morgan are charged of attacking John Anderson. Morgan is sentenced to six months in jail but Langley is given probation has it is her first offence. Iris Cope hopes to persuade Joyce not to go into prostitution.
Episode 15
Philip Main's client Mr. Belcher is father of six children charged for receiving stolen goods from his daughter. Main would like him to have probation. Iris Cope has deal with daughter Myrtle who seems unwillingly to cooperate with her.
Episode 16
Richard Bates is found guilty of GBH, on Peter Woodburn, in a drunken rage. Bates was a former staff officer and a managing director but lost his job when the company was taken over. Jim Blake attempts to help him with his alcoholism.
Episode 17
Philip Main has to deal with two different types of boys who are put on probation by a juvenile court.
Episode 18
No overview available.
Episode 19
A youth with a bad past is found the one kind of work - wood carving - that interests him but there is trouble when a shop steward recognises him as someone who is on probation.
Episode 20
No overview available.
Episode 21
The problems of an elderly Jewish tailor and his son after the father is brought to court for receiving stolen cloth.
Episode 22
70-year-old grandad Charlie Toliver has broke into the gas meter to pay for his radio. At court, the judge Charlie is given 12 months probation. Jim Blake wants Charlie to consider part time work but his family disagree over his future.
Episode 23
A Hungarian refugee faces prejudice and loneliness and is not accepted by his trade union.
Episode 24
The problems caused by hire-purchase payments on luxury goods.
Episode 25
The probation officers deal with a case of matrimonial difficulties.
Episode 26
The spoilt 16-year-old son of a wealthy novelist is a problem for the probation authorities.
Episode 27
A woman steals a coat when her husband becomes too ill to work.
Episode 28
Merchant seaman Greg Miller is told by a doctor that he is unfit to continue his life at sea because of failing eyesight. When he gets involved in a brawl his case comes to the attention of the probation officers.
Episode 29
No overview available.
Episode 30
A girl is put on probation because of her association with a man who has been sent to prison.
Episode 31
Former Polish soldier Paul Kresler is in trouble after stealing a few pennies from a newspaper stand because of his bad former record.
Episode 32
A 15-year-old boy keeps getting into trouble because he wants to show his friends that he is not afraid.
Episode 33
A criminal who complains that his circumstances have been against him gets a new start, but his determination to reform doesn't last long.
Episode 34
A former sergeant major still under the influence of army discipline exerts it on his family with unhappy results.
Episode 35
The case of a young man with a disregard for the law and an ability for getting in trouble in spite of his father's best efforts.
Episode 36
No overview available.
Episode 37
No overview available.
Episode 38
A former army man is charged with embezzlement.
Episode 39
No overview available.
No media available
