AbstractThis article describes an analysis of the provision of social enquiry reports, the various sentencing outcomes in magistrates' courts and differences in the level of resources in 34 probation areas. It demonstrates that the level of report provision is strongly associated with the use of probation service administered disposals (i.e. probation and community service orders) but has little effect on the use of custodial disposals. The second part reviews the reasons for the apparent absence of influence in reports on the use of custodial sentences and the ways in which probation officers might enhance their impact on sentences via the preparation of reports, especially in relation to the use of tariff sentences.