Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

from the Corrections archives Today

In this special section, we explore the enduring relevance of past Corrections Today feature articles in shaping today’s correctional practices.

Edward R. Cass: The passing of an era

IN MEMORIAM: EDWARD R. CASS Dec. 19, 1890–Jan. 20, 1976

BY ROBERTS J. WRIGHT

since a relic of New York’s lower east side within the shadows of the almost forgotten Third Ave. El. For half a century Edward Cass guided the affairs, and the destiny, of what was later the Correctional As sociation of New York and the American Correctional Association from the legendary address of 135 East 15 th Street in New York. In 1928 he served as president of the national asso ciation. Retiring from the executive directorship of both groups in 1962, he continued his active relationship with corrections as a member of the executive committee of the New York organization, and as a member of the New York State Commission of Correction, as an appointee of a long line of governors, serving as vice-chairman until his “second retirement” in April 1975. Mr. Cass had been a confidant and advisor to a long list of New York governors, from Al Smith through Franklin Roosevelt, Herbert H. Lehman, Thomas E. Dewey, W. Averell Harriman, Nelson A. Rockefeller and Hugh Carey. New York mayors from John Hyland to Jimmy Walker also sought his advice. He also advised Fiorello LaGuardia, William O’Dwyer, Robert Wagner, Vincent lmpelliteri, John V. Lindsay and Abraham Beane.

Seven men who had worked closely with Edward R. Cass prepared the following tribute to his memory. They are: Roberts J. Wright, Myrl E. Alexander, James V. Bennett, Austin H. MacCormick, Richard A. McGee, Sanger B. Powers and E. Preston Sharp.

By Roberts J. Wright A n era has passed.

There are many eras — past, pres ent and some yet to come. But with the death of Edward R. Cass, at the age of

85, a special era has come to an end. With one of the longest periods of active affiliation with corrections, if not the longest consecutive period — 63 years — the professional career of Ed Cass started in 1913 with the then Prison Association of New York, as an associate of the famed Dr. Orlando F. Lewis, who was serving as General Secretary. True it is that Ed Cass first knew the plight of the less fortunate as a young official of what as then known as the Newsboys Lodging House, long

Corrections Today | Spring 2026

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