From 1844-1852, Hopper recorded the experiences of many formally incarcerated individuals which can be seen in the Diary. The purpose of these records and Hopper’s role were all established by the Prison Association of New York (PANY).  This Association was formed in 1844 by a group of 46 “well to-do” people who were seeking to reform the existing prison system.[1]

Their main goal was the “amelioration of the prisoners conditions,” not only reforming the conditions inside the prison itself but also by being advocates for the prisoners upon their release.[2]

Hopper became the chairman of the committee on discharged convicts when the organization formed.[3] With this position came the responsibility of recording the concerns and conversations he had with the formally incarcerated individuals that came to visit him in his office. As the PANY grew, they began to achieve more rights for prisoners. The Executive Committee met once a month and discussed concerns and funding.

According to historian, Solon, in 1846, “New York state legislature passes a law giving CANY [or PANY] the ability to enter and inspect every prison in New York State and report its findings and recommendations to the government and the public.”[4] In the 1860s, they focused on ending corporal punishment in New York. Then in the 1870s, they helped found the National Prison Association and internationally, they founded the International Prison Congress. Today, PANY is known as the Correctional Association of New York and continues to advocate on behalf of incarcerated individuals.

[1] M.J. Heale, “The Formative Years of the New York Prison Association, 1844-1862 : A Case Study in Antebellum Reform,” New-York Historical Society Quarterly 59, no. 3 (July 1975): 322.

[2] “First Report The Prison Association of New York: December 1844,” New York: Jared W. Bell, 1845, 3.

[3] Heale, “The Formative Years of the New York Prison Association,” 329.

[4] Sarah Solon, “History and Impact,” Correctional Association of New York, 2019. Accessed March 31, 2019, https://www.correctionalassociation.org/history-and-impact