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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.
1962
Amoral, scatterbrained, but lovable Jenny is in Borstal for receiving. Then Probation Officer, Maggie Weston finds her a job as a maidservant in a country house. Can Jenny make good or will her unfortunate background and her own unstable temperament be too much for her?
A bank clerk, bored with his job resigns, giving up his pension and security putting pressure on his marriage.
Streaming availability information not available
1961
The opening of the third series, set in the suburban town of Goodford rather than metropolitan London as previously.
A Jamaican girl living with her sister in a crowded lodging house attempts suicide by turning on the gas.
A 15-year-old girl who has grown up in a children's home dreams of returning to her mother.
Philip Main comes to the aid of the son of a friend who has given up his studies for the clergy to become a barman in a drinking club.
A father reports his daughter to the police for stealing.
The story of a former garage mechanic who lives in a prisoner release hostel.
A family wish to adopt the child that they have been fostering. Can the child's mother be traced, and will she agree to the plan?
A youth of 16 is put on probation for the attempted murder of his girlfriend.
The case of police sergeant Donald Bates who is married to a much younger woman caught behind the wheel of a stolen car.
John Paul
Philip Main
Jessica Spencer
Maggie Weston
John Scott
Bert Bellman
Henry Oscar
Magistrate
Windsor Davies
Bill Morgan
Humphrey Heathcote
Jailer
Honor Blackman
Iris Cope
John Barrett
Clerk of Court
Richard Vernon
Lessing
Neil Wilson
Det. Con Conway
1959
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.
1960
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.
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..
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.
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.
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.
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.
The probation officers deal with two cases: the sliding fortunes of ex-pilot Mark Kennedy and the theft of a baby by its nanny.
A doctor feels isolated by his sexuality.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Philip Main has to deal with two different types of boys who are put on probation by a juvenile court.
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.
The problems of an elderly Jewish tailor and his son after the father is brought to court for receiving stolen cloth.
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.
A Hungarian refugee faces prejudice and loneliness and is not accepted by his trade union.
The problems caused by hire-purchase payments on luxury goods.
The probation officers deal with a case of matrimonial difficulties.
The spoilt 16-year-old son of a wealthy novelist is a problem for the probation authorities.
A woman steals a coat when her husband becomes too ill to work.
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.
A girl is put on probation because of her association with a man who has been sent to prison.
Former Polish soldier Paul Kresler is in trouble after stealing a few pennies from a newspaper stand because of his bad former record.
A 15-year-old boy keeps getting into trouble because he wants to show his friends that he is not afraid.
A criminal who complains that his circumstances have been against him gets a new start, but his determination to reform doesn't last long.
A former sergeant major still under the influence of army discipline exerts it on his family with unhappy results.
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.
A former army man is charged with embezzlement.
Philip Main is asked to help a girl who is ill treated by her father, a strongly religious widower.
A man is in trouble for selling something he has bought on hire purchase.
Dr Svoboda is a Czech physicist whose hatred of Germans lands him in trouble.
Ken Austin was friendless, and when he finds friends in a Soho club he immediately took to them and their habits - drink and drugs.
A vicar's disappointment with four boys from his youth club who break into the vicarage at night for a private drinking party.
An alcoholic man is persuaded to have treatment.
Two elderly spinsters whose house is due for demolition refuse to let the authorities enter their home.
Kenneth Wheatley is up in front of the magistrate for assaulting his wife and step-sister and damaging a club.
Philip Main comes to the aid of a young member of a street gang who runs away in disgust after the beating of a helpless old man.
The probation officers come to the aid of down-on-his-luck business man Charles Hamilton and the elderly Miss Carrington who has a mania for breaking dirty cafe crockery.
A young married couple are having trouble with noisy neighbours.
A man pleads guilty to stealing from his employer.
The first in a two part story about the difficulties faced by Bill Walker as he is released from prison.
The probation officers continue their efforts to help released prisoner Bill Walker.
Maggie Weston comes to the aid of a young expectant mother who also has to look after her elderly grandmother.
A man earning £2,500 a year defends his refusal to let his wife have more than one child on financial grounds.
The probation officers come to the aid of out-of-work actress Netta Loring.