Parolees: A Follow-Up Study of One Hundred New York State Parolees Who Received Emergency Loans From the Fund for Destitute Parolees Administered by the Correctional Association of New York Between November 1, 1962 and October 31, 1963

Middleton Alexander Harris, Fordham University

Abstract

The Correctional Association of New York was organized in 1844 and incorporated in 1846. Before assuming its present title it was known as The Prison Association of New York. It is the only private agency in New York State which is authorized by the State Legislature to visit and examine the correctional institutions within the State and submit recommendations designed to improve their operations. This pioneer social welfare agency concerns itself with the welfare and rehabilitation of offenders and their families while they are incarcerated and after their discharge. This concern caused The Correctional Association of New York to lend its influence to the cause which resulted in the organization of the Division of Parole. The Division of Parole was established July 1, 1930 by an Act of the State Legislature. For many years no provision was made in the budget of the Division to provide cash relief for parolees who faced emergencies. There is now a limited provision for two groups of paroled persons : the intellectually gifted who are in the special Gifted Unit and parolees who are in the Special Narcotics Unit. This forward step does not begin to meet the emergency needs of the vast majority of parolees who are in general caseloads. Since the establishment of the Parole Division, The Correctional Association, through its Loan Fund for Destitute Parolees, has gone far towards filling the gap between the emergency needs of parolees and the available resources. Correctional Association funds are derived only from private resources. The limited source of funds had nothing to do with the traditional loan principle connected with the material aid furnished to parolees. That philosophy is based on the desire of the Association to permit an individual to retain dignity while at the same time accepting needed assistance. Also taken into consideration is the fact that in an emergency, a person has great anxiety and the need is for cash rather than counsel. Once the emergency has passed, the aided parolee can help in his own growth by recognizing and accepting the obligation to return the loan. The Correctional Association views financial aid as a useful casework tool in the rehabilitation of offenders.

Subject Area

Social work

Recommended Citation

Harris, Middleton Alexander, "Parolees: A Follow-Up Study of One Hundred New York State Parolees Who Received Emergency Loans From the Fund for Destitute Parolees Administered by the Correctional Association of New York Between November 1, 1962 and October 31, 1963" (1965). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30308734.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30308734

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