History of Correction, Probation, and Parole.
The Department of Corrections is an agency of the state that is responsible for the supervision and management of convicted felons. The Department of Corrections allows the protection of the community by operating safe, secure facilities that keep offenders under firm, fair practices. Their mission is to reduce the risk of criminal conduct through a partnership with communities, with a continuum of community supervision, incarceration, sanctions and services to manage offender behavior. The fundamental value in the continuum of probation, prison, and parole is the principle that the least restrictive method be used to oversee offender behavior, consistent with public safety(bluebook). Corrections have been around for centuries. The corrections history of New York and Virginia are just a few pieces of a huge puzzle of corrections in the United States.
The history of New York's Corrections starts with the Fort Amsterdam Era. Fort Amsterdam was erected in 1625. Its facilities were dungeon-like. Its prisoners included unruly soldiers, native people that were umcompliant, and debtors. In 1775 it brought about the construction of a workhouse known as Bridewell. It was to be placed in New York City Hall Park but its construction was interrupted by the War for Independence. In 1788 the New York State Legislature enacted a law that named twelve commissioners to Bridewell and Almshouse, another corrections facility. New York opened its fist state prison in 1788, and was named the Greenwich State Prison. The structure included Doric columns, huge surrounding walls and four acres of grounds. 1816 brought about New York's fist penitentiary, named Bellevue City Penitentiary. This penitentiary is the home of a large number of female prisoners. Next came Auburn prison which was opened in 1817. A few years later Auburn prison opened a new wing to their facility.
