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The Correctional Association of New York is an independent, non-profit organization founded by concerned citizens in 1844 and granted unique authority by the New York State Legislature to inspect prisons and to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature, the public and the press. Through monitoring, research, public education and policy recommendations, the Correctional Association strives to make the administration of justice in New York State more fair, efficient and humane.

Our Mission

The Correctional Association of New York is an independent, non-profit organization founded by concerned citizens in 1844 and granted unique authority by the New York State Legislature to inspect prisons and to report its findings and recommendations to the legislature, the public and the press. Through monitoring, research, public education and policy recommendations, the Correctional Association strives to make the administration of justice in New York State more fair, efficient and humane.

Our Vision

The Correctional Association envisions a criminal justice system that holds a person accountable for a crime yet does not condemn an entire life based on a person's worst act, a system that goes beyond a process of law and accountability to encompass social and racial equality on all levels.

Our Values

We believe that the operations of our criminal justice system and the conditions inside our prisons reflect the basic values and priorities of our government and society.

The driving force of our work is a belief in the inherent dignity of all human beings and a deep faith in the human capacity for change.

We recognize that we are all connected in spirit if not experience—a criminal justice system that degrades and demeans certain members of our society degrades and demeans all of us.

We believe that the people most affected by the criminal justice system should be involved in debating and shaping criminal justice policy and practice.

We believe a more just and balanced approach to incarceration will benefit inmates, their families and communities, and will enhance public safety and the quality of life for all.

History

In 1844, some of New York City's leading citizens, concerned about brutal conditions in prisons and the lack of support services for former prisoners, convened the first meeting of the Correctional Association of New York.

Just two years later, the New York State Legislature passed a law granting the organization the authority to inspect prisons and to report its findings and recommendations for improvements to policy makers and the public. This special legislative privilege enables the Correctional Association to shine a spotlight in the dark corners of the prison system, counter debilitating conditions and promote effective prison programs.

Throughout its century-and-a-half of service, the Association has focused public attention on the misguided efforts to use prison as a salve for serious social problems. As early as 1942, the Association issued warnings about the foolishness of treating drug addiction through incarceration. Since its inception, it has gone on to study various aspects of the criminal justice system; issues from prisoners with HIV/ AIDS to work release for battered women. Currently, there are four working projects: the Public Policy Project, the Women in Prison Project, the Prison Visiting Project and the Juvenile Justice Project.

The Association believes that the criminal justice system, in general, and prison issues, in particular, are among the most pressing civil rights issues of our time and can no longer be treated separately from other public policy concerns. Jails, prisons, and related criminal justice activities consume an extraordinary amount of tax dollars while useful government programs like higher education and job training go begging for funds.

Through advocacy, public education, and developing and promoting workable alternative proposals, the Correctional Association seeks to create a more fair, efficient and humane criminal justice system and a more safe and just society.