Prison Association
AMER- ICAN, an organization of officials of American prisons, founded by Dr. E. C.
Wines, of New York, in 1870, at a conference in Cincinnati, O., and incorporated under the laws of New York in the following year. The object of the association was the general improvement of conditions, not only for the officials and employees of such institutions, but for prisoners as well. Until 1877 the organization developed a vigorous growth, issuing reports in 1872, 1874, ng reports and 1877 of considerable value to students of penology. The death of Dr. Wines, however, at this time, caused a notable decrease in the activities of the association, which lasted until 1883, when it again showed signs of revival.
The organization is now an influential factor in all movements toward prison reform, and has standing committees on criminal law, reform, prevention, probation, parole, prison discipline, discharged prisoners and prison statistics. With it are affiliated five other national organizations, comprising wardens, prison physicians, prison chaplains, women officials and employees, and criminologists.