The Correctional Association of New York (CANY, founded 1844), the
John Howard Association of Illinois (JHA, founded 1901), and the Pennsylvania Prison Society (Society, founded 1787) are the only state-wide, independent, nongovernmental correctional oversight entities in the United States. While our models and our levels of access to facilities are distinct, our common mission is to increase transparency among corrections agencies, promote accountability when problems are identified, and to fuel prison reform.