Robert Gangi
Executive Director
135 East 15th Street
New York, NY 10003
Phone: (212) 254-5700
Fax: (212) 473-2807
In 1844, some of New York City's leading citizens, concerned about crudely brutal conditions in the prisons and the lack of support services in the community 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 organizations the authority to inspect prisons and to report its findings and recommendations for improvements to policy makers and the public. This special legislative mandate enables us to shine a spotlight on the dark corners of the prison system, otherwise hidden from public view, in order to counter debilitating conditions and promote effective education and vocation programs.
Throughout its century and a half of service, the Association has focussed 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 trying to treat drug addiction with prison.
The Association believes that prison issues can no longer be treated separately from other public policy concerns. Jails, prisons and related criminal justice activities use up an extraordinary amount of tax dollars while accomplishing dubious results and while useful government programs like higher education and job training and development go begging for funds.
The Correctional Association is important because it develops and promotes workable alternative proposals. The organization seeks to create a more fair, efficient, and humane criminal justice system and a more safe and just society.
To read our position papers and fact sheets, click below:
- Rockefeller Drug law Repeal
- No to Parole
- Mandatory Sentencing Laws and Drug Offenders
- Prisoner Profile
- Basic Prison & Jail Fact Sheet
- Trends in New York State Prison Commitments
Click on the names below, for more information on our individual projects: