Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

from the archives

There are some, I know, who did not know Ed well and who may have thought of him as a bit of a curmudgeon, and he might on occasion have given that impression because of his impatience with the snail’s pace of progress, and his burning desire to see the Association, its annual Congresses and its continuing programs efficiently managed. If Ed was a grouch, I found him to be a personable, love able one in whose judgment, sincerity of purpose and friendship I had implicit confidence. I had great respect for Ed’s constancy of purpose, his devotion to the cause of good correc tions, and his contributions over the years to the American Correctional Association. The increasing influence of the organization in no small way must be credited to the 50 years of devoted service by Ed Cass — as general secretary from 1922 to 1962 and as assistant general secretary from 1913 to 1922. Ed’s half century of service to the ACA spanned two World Wars and the “great depres sion” — hard times for any organization by any standard one might choose. It was primarily Ed’s drive and his burning ambition to see the As sociation survive and to flourish that held the organization together during those trying years. I deeply regret Ed’s passing for I have lost a staunch friend and the ACA has lost its most enthusiastic supporter and leader. The world has to be a better place to live in for the many whose lives Ed touched over the years of his career, not only with the ACA but also with the Correctional Association of New York and as a member of the New York State Commission of Correction. By E. Preston Sharp, Ph.D. With the death of Edward R. Cass, the correc tional field has lost a national leader, the American Correctional Association has lost one of its most ardent supporters, and I have lost a good friend. Ed Cass was not easy to understand and many misunderstood his remarks and underestimated

tenuous fraternal organization which bound us together professionally for over a century. Ed’s participation as executive secretary and presi dent extended over more than half of that period. Without his unflagging energy and steadfastness of purpose, I am sure there were many times when the organization might have disintegrated. We owe him ·our gratitude for his lifetime service and extend to his widow Anna our sincerest sympathy. By Sanger B. Powers The news of the death of E.R. Cass most certainly must have saddened not only those of us who knew him intimately, but also those who knew him only by reputation. Ed Cass and I did not start out as close friends nor as members of a mutual admiration committee. Our first as sociations perhaps might better have been described as an “arm’s length” relationship. We became fast friends, however, as we became better acquainted and had the opportunity to know and work with one another in a variety of ACA activities. Ed’s half century of service to the ACA spanned two World Wars and the “great depression” — hard times for any organization by any standard one might choose.

My year as chairman of the program committee for the 1958 Detroit Congress of Correction, and my year as president of the ACA in 1961 afforded me an opportu nity to work closely with Ed and to better appreciate his knowledge, wisdom and solid support.

Spring 2026 | Corrections Today

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