19th Century U.S. Civic Institutions Concerned with Prisoners
Philadelphia, Boston, and New York in mid-19th century had active, well-supported civic groups concerned with prisons, prisoners, and prison discipline.
Topic Collection: Prison Association of New York
The Prison Association of New York, formed in 1844, had as its purposes improving prisoners’ conditions, improving prison discipline, and providing help for discharged convicts.
NY Prison Association Emerges As Rival to Prison Inspectors
In mid-19th-century New York, the Prison Association and state prison inspectors were similarly positioned to create public knowledge about prisons.
Conflict Between NY Prison Assocation and Prison Inspectors
The Prison Association of New York and the official state prison inspectors sharply criticized each other’s actions in inspecting prisons.
Legislative Action in 1847 to Reduce the NY Prison Association’s Inspection Authority
The NY Prison Association’s statutory authority became controversial after a 1847 NY prison law made subtle changes in prison inspection authority.
Prison Inspectors and the Prison Association Battle for Authority
The Prison Association of New York and state prison inspectors battled over prison inspection authority in mid-19th century New York.
Prison Association of New York Discounted Prisoners’ Personal Communication
The Prison Association of New York sought public knowledge about prison conditions and valued little prisoners’ communication with family and friends.
New York State’s Constitutional Legacy of Prison Inspection Conflict
Battles between the Prison Association of New York and New York prison inspectors have left a textual mark in the current New York Constitution.
Prison Association of New York Became Correctional Association of New York
The Prison Association of New York changed its name to the Correctional Association of New York in 1961. Its mission and activities changed little.
Edmonds Reversed Course As Sing Sing Prison Inspector in Mid-1840s
John Edmonds supported a harsh disciplinary regime at Sing Sing prison in 1843, but subsequently became a leading prison inspector and reformer.
John Edmonds Led Founding of Prison Association of New York
John Edmonds led the founding of the Prison Association of New York from his position as a Sing Sing prison inspector.
John Edmonds’ Service to the Prison Association of New York
John Edmonds was a founder of the Prison Association of New York, and a high officer of it from 1844 to 1855.