What is the Correctional Association?

The Correctional Association of New York (CA) was founded in 1844 by a group of New York’s leading citizens concerned about brutal prison conditions and the lack of services available for individuals returning to their communities after incarceration. In 1846, the New York State Legislature granted the organization authority to inspect prisons and to report its findings to policymakers and the public – authority that has been granted to only one other organization in the country. This special legislative privilege enables the CA to shine a spotlight on the dark corners of New York State’s prison system and to advocate for improvements in conditions of confinement. Through four projects – Women in Prison, Prison Visiting, Juvenile Justice and Public Policy/Drop the Rock – the CA advocates for a more fair and humane criminal justice system and a more safe and just society.