court. The fear of having his children permanently taken from him if he
again fails to support them has, in one or two instances, had much more
effect with the deserter than the threat of a prison sentence."
"Probation works very well and occasionally a prison sentence; but
probation is better." These statements come from cities where probation
work is well organized. From another city where the probation officers
are notoriously overworked, comes a pessimistic note: "The theory of
probation is fine, but the practice is poor because the officers have
entirely too much to do."

Probation is simply case work with the added "punch" of the law behind
it; so that when it is at all well done it should have the more lasting
results. Probation officers and other social workers agree, however,
that for certain deserters of the complacent type, an unexpected prison
sentence is sometimes a very salutary dash of cold water.

After having tried one or two short absences, ostensibly to look for
work and finding that nothing serious happened to him, Andreas
Gorokhoff walked out one day and did not come back for five years.
During that time his wife's relatives and the community's family
agency took care of his family while he led the life of a care-free
vagabond. He was ready upon his return to settle down again for a
time; but the family agency and the probation department thought
differently, and succeeded in having him sent to state prison for an
indeterminate sentence of not more than two years. He was released
on parole for good conduct, returned home, went to work, and, during
the four years which have since elapsed, all has gone well.

Good results may, and probably more often do, follow shorter prison
sentences.