Issues File, 1971-1984

The Issues Files were created by the CCJ to collect background information on subjects related to criminal justice reform. The series contains correspondence between Thomas A. Coughlin, Commissioner, and all the New York State central office and facility staff concerning new affirmative action plans. Included are the Commissioners remarks presented to the Assembly Sub-Committee on Affirmative Action in 1980. Also present is information on programs established as alternatives to incarceration 1975-1980, the Attica prisoners 28 demands/convict proposals, along with the correctional guards Union 82 list of demands, and the papers on the legal aftermath of the Attica uprising, mainly concerning the Attica legal defense fund. Also available are newsletters of EUI, [Ending Unnecessary Imprisonment] in New York State, citizen participation (how to) papers, and Christian statements concerning the criminal justice system. A Corrections Information Series for jail classification can also be found concerning background information, court decisions, ACA standards, and examples of classification systems for small, medium, and large prisons. Several other reports can be found on issues such as "Community Alternatives to Maximum Security" 1974-1975, a "Proposal to Repeal New York's Second Felony Offender Law", "Philosophies of Punishment and Correction", "Fines: An Inquiry Into The Use of Fines As an Alternative to Incarceration", "Probation Subsidy", and a summary of the New York State YWCA Intervention Program sponsored by the New York State Commission of Correction. Information related to the expansion of prisons and the prison bond issue intended to fund the expansion including Gov. Plans 1980-1981, Coalition responses and alternatives 1978-1982, Committee hearings 1982, testimony by Coalition members 1981-1982.

Reports by the Full Step INC. program are also in the series. They address topics of utilization of private sector community correctional organizations, the study of federally sponsored ex-offender community based programs, and the creation of a temporary state commission on transitional services to ex-offenders 1980. Community Correction Acts are included for New York State, 1978, Oregon, 1979, Minnesota, 1973, and Kansas, 1980. These reports also concern community dispute resolution programs in New York State, and information on community service sentences. An important Senate hearing paper can be found concerning Court Consolidation and Appointment vs. Election of Judges. A list of names of those sentenced to execution from the period of 1890-1963 is included along with the crime committed, following is information on the use of the death penalty. Drinking and driving in New York State is also addressed in several reports found in the series, as well as an agenda for the Elderly Criminal Offenders Conference held in 1982. Also found is information from the National Coalition for Jail Reform on inappropriate confinement and information about the creation of Jaycee (Junior Chamber of Commerce) chapters in prisons. The Jaycees are a national leadership training organization for young business men and women. Files on juvenile justice issues can be found mainly concerning youth rights. Other files relate to reducing prison crowding, prison bond folders containing newspaper clippings, prison population planning, racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, sentencing reform, and sex offender programs.