Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

FROM THE ARCHIVES

his contributions. He had no time for those who lacked sincerity or were prone to verbalize and not willing to work. During Ed’s time as general secretary, contri butions to publications such as the Manual of Correctional Standards and others were made by leaders in the field who donated their time and talents. No federal grants were available and few foundations were interested in corrections. Ed had to rely on the dedicated members of the field and he had to set the example. Finances of the ACA were also one of his major concerns. Salaries of the majority of correctional workers were very low and therefore dues had to be kept at a minimum. One of his principles was to keep the cost of the publications and the Journal at a minimum so that the first line personnel could take advantage of the material. He was constantly search ing for methods to improve the service of ACA in order to be a benefit to all levels of personnel. Although I had worked with Ed for a number of years on different committees, I did not get to know him well until I became president of the As sociation in 1957. He was very helpful to me and a lasting friendship based upon mutual respect was established. When I assumed the position of general secre tary of the American Correctional Association in 1965, he continued his interest in the Association and was a valuable resource for me. When I turned to him for advice and guidance, he was always willing to be of help. I kept him posted on plans and developments and he shared in the joys of the successes and the disappointments of the failures. One of his greatest prides was the value which the field placed upon the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award. He was a permanent mem ber of the committee which selected the recipients and was constantly interested in maintaining high standards in selecting the awardees. Ed will long be remembered for his contribu tions in New York City through the Correctional

Association of New York, through serving as a com missioner on the New York State Commission of Correction, for a number of years, and on the nation al scene through his contribution to the American Correctional Association. CT Roberts J. Wright was formerly commissioner of correction of Westchester County, New York, and commissioner, New York State Board of Parole. He has been Managing Editor and subsequently Editor of the American Journal of Correction since its inception in 1938. He was president of the American Correctional Association in 1958, and recipient of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1970. Myrl E. Alexander was formerly director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. He was president of the American Correctional Association in 1956, and the recipient of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1971. He is currently director of Studies in Criminal Justice at the University of Florida Gainesville. James V. Bennett was formerly director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and was president of the American Prison Associaton in 1940. He was the recipient of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1964. Austin H. MacCormick is executive director of the Osborne Association, Inc., New York, and was president of the American Prison Association in 1939. He was the recipient of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1965. Richard A. McGee was formerly administrator of Correctional Services, state of California, and was president of the American Prison Association in 1943. He is presently president of the American Justice Institute, Sacramento, California. He was the recipient of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1963. Sanger B. Powers was formerly director of the Wisconsin Division of Corrections, and was president of the American Correctional Association in 1961. He was the recipient of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1971. E. Preston Sharp, Ph.D., was formerly executive director of the American Correctional Association, and was president of the Association in 1957. He is presently professor, Department of Administration of Justice and Public Safety, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, and consultant to the Virginia Department of Corrections. He, and Mrs. Sharp, were the recipients of the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award in 1974.

Corrections Today | Spring 2026

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