NCJ Number
27776
Date Published
1975
Length
61 pages
Annotation
BASED ON HEARINGS HELD BY THE COMMITTEE AND INTERVIEWS WITH COMMISSION EMPLOYEES AND CORRECTIONAL STAFF, THIS DOCUMENT ASSESSES THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE COMMISSION IS FULFILLING ITS DUTIES AND OFFERS SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM.
Abstract
THE STATE COMMISSION OF CORRECTION HAS RESPONSIBILITY FOR INSPECTION OF STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ADMINISTRATION AND PROGRAMS OF CORRECTIONS, ESTABLISHING INMATE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, CONDUCTING TRAINING, AND UNDERTAKING RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. PURSUANT TO THE TRADITIONAL REVIEW FUNCTION AND THE SELECT COMMITTEE'S MANDATE THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON CRIME AND CORRECTION UNDERTOOK THIS REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE NEW YORK STATE COMMISSION OF CORRECTION DURING THE APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTH PERIOD SINCE IT WAS REFORMULATED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 398 OF THE LAWS OF 1973. THIS REVIEW COMMENCED IN NOVEMBER, 1974 WITH VISITS BY THE STAFF OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE COMMISSION'S OFFICES, EXTENSIVE INTERVIEWS WITH COMMISSION PERSONNEL, REVIEWS OF OFFICIAL REPORTS BY THE COMMITTEE STAFF AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION. AS THE STAFF REVIEW PROGRESSED IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT THE COMMISSION WAS NOT FULFILLING ITS LEGISLATIVE MANDATE AND SIGNIFICANT CHANGES IN THE COMMISSION'S BASIC STRUCTURE WERE REQUIRED. IN ADDITION TO A REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF THE COMMISSION, THIS REPORT PRESENTS AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMMISSION'S PERFORMANCE WITH RESPECT TO FOUR REPRESENTATIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. IN EACH CASE THE PERFORMANCE WAS FOUND TO BE UNSATISFACTORY. RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ARE INCLUDED FOR SUCH AREAS AS THE STAFF OF THE COMMISSION ON CORRECTIONS, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES, THE MEDICAL REVIEW BOARD, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, ESTABLISHMENT OF A CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL, MINIMUM STANDARDS, SUPERVISION OF LOCAL CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS, TRAINING, AND CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)