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The need for oversight of prisons is as urgent today as it was 175 years ago.

 
 
 
 

CANY is the only independent organization in New York with authority under state law to monitor prisons.

Our access creates a platform for those most affected by incarceration to shape the public debate.

 
 
 

Featured Work

 

FACT SHEET

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Women in New York prisons have histories of trauma and violence, profound physical and mental health needs, and experience significant challenges while incarcerated. Read More →

ISSUE BRIEF

The number of people incarcerated in New York is declining, but those in prison are staying for much longer periods of time. Read More →

FACT SHEET

On an average day, around 2,600 people are in solitary confinement in New York’s prisons. Read More →

FACT SHEET

A significant portion of those eligible for parole are being denied – some multiple times. Read More →

 
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Today, 48,000 people are incarcerated in New York's 54 prisons – the sixth largest prison system in the country. Our work is informed by the experiences of people in prison – focused on dignity, health, and legitimacy.

 
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Who we are

CANY plays a critical and unique role in criminal justice reform. We provide independent oversight of New York’s prisons by conducting in-person monitoring visits, during which we speak extensively with incarcerated people and corrections staff, and by confidentially communicating with incarcerated people about their experiences through the mail, one-on-one interviews, and collect phone calls.

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What we are working toward

We urge the public to fundamentally rethink the nature and purpose of incarceration. In our vision for the future, the criminal justice system no longer targets African Americans and other people of color through mass incarceration. Far fewer people are incarcerated and for shorter periods of time. Read more about our vision here.

Learn More →

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How we get there

Our goal is to use our unique access to promote true transparency and accountability. We create a platform for those most affected to directly share their experiences; we document and disseminate information about system trends; and we advocate for reform  at individual prisons and at the system level. 

Read More →

 
 

MORE HARM THAN GOOD

Monitoring visit to Fishkill Correctional Facility

July 8-9, 2020

 
 
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Our Strategic Focus

Our oversight pays close attention to the issues people in prison report to us.

Specifically, we are currently conducting projects on:

 
 
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Dignity

The arbitrary over-denial of parole applications, which is keeping thousands of people in prison beyond their minimum sentences.

 
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Legitimacy

The pervasive misuse of isolation and lock-up throughout prisons, including but extending beyond the use of solitary confinement.

 
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Health

Acute needs and barriers to effective care.

 
 

Stay in the Know

The final post in our quantitative data series offers insight into the prevalence of COVID-19 testing across the four prisons we visited last year in addition to the accessibility people currently incarcerated have to their test results. As a whole, this data helps us understand both the impact of COVID-19 in NYS prisons and the weaknesses in DOCCS’ response. The fact that so many people in prison reported that they did not receive their test results is incredibly concerning, as the ability to access information about one’s health is crucial to protecting their wellbeing. . . . #CANY #CorrectionalAssociationNY #CorrectionalAssociation #prison #monitoring #oversight #incarceration #prisonindustrialcomplex #NYSprisons #prisonoversight #prisonmonitoring #CANY1844
Not only has COVID-19 impacted the provision of and access to healthcare services within NYS prisons, but it has also affected many key operations at large. From limited access to required programming to delayed mail and problems with in-person visits, it is clear that the virus has hindered the ability of prisons to meet the needs of incarcerated people. Unfortunately, it is the people currently incarcerated in these facilities who must deal with the consequences of reduced services and support.  . . . #CANY #CorrectionalAssociationNY #CorrectionalAssociation #prison #monitoring #oversight #incarceration #prisonindustrialcomplex #NYSprisons #prisonoversight #prisonmonitoring #CANY1844
Today's post focuses on the accessibility of healthcare services within NYS prisons since the start of the pandemic. According to the data collected from all four of last year's prison monitoring visits, only 45% of incarcerated people were able to access medical and dental care since March of 2020. Along this same line, only 45% of people in prison were able to access mental health services. Although access to adequate healthcare is always essential to protecting incarcerated people's health and well-being, meeting this need is particularly vital in the era of COVID-19, as healthcare services play an indispensable role in mitigating the danger posed by the virus. . . . #CANY #CorrectionalAssociationNY #CorrectionalAssociation #prison #monitoring #oversight #incarceration #prisonindustrialcomplex #NYSprisons #prisonoversight #prisonmonitoring #CANY1844
Across all of last year's monitoring visits, the vast majority of respondents reported being unsatisfied with DOCCS’ response to COVID-19. From inadequate social distancing measures to a lack of cleanliness in high-touch areas, today’s post looks at the prevalence of these issues across these four NYS prisons. . . . #CANY #CorrectionalAssociationNY #CorrectionalAssociation #prison #monitoring #oversight #incarceration #prisonindustrialcomplex #NYSprisons #prisonoversight #prisonmonitoring #CANY1844
Knowledge is power, which is why the ability to access information is incredibly important. Data from last year’s monitoring visits show that only 34% of people in prison feel like DOCCS’ has provided them with enough information about COVID-19. Additionally, only 1 in 6 reported receiving any information on how to care for, use, and clean masks. By not properly providing currently incarcerated people with this crucial information, DOCCS has hindered the ability of people in prison to properly protect themselves from the virus. . . . #CANY #CorrectionalAssociationNY #CorrectionalAssociation #prison #monitoring #oversight #incarceration #prisonindustrialcomplex #NYSprisons #prisonoversight #prisonmonitoring #CANY1844
Our last post for this week looks at both the prevalence of COVID-19 complaints and the accessibility to and acceptance of flu shots at Green Haven Correctional Facility. Given the dangerous impact COVID-19 continues to have within prisons, access to adequate healthcare services as well as information about one’s medical options is essential, as it helps minimize the threat posed by the virus. In order to achieve health, safety, and justice for incarcerated individuals, we must address the barriers keeping them from accessing key healthcare services. . . . #CANY #CorrectionalAssociationNY #CorrectionalAssociation #prison #monitoring #oversight #incarceration #prisonindustrialcomplex #NYSprisons #prisonoversight #prisonmonitoring #CANY1844