Changes in the commission's leadership, organization, and priorities led to a lack of continuity in management; staff cutbacks affected the commission's capability to implement its program. Four minimum standards for State correctional facilities were promulgated, but the commission did not evaluate facility compliance with them. Even the American Correctional Association's standards were seldom used to assess the State correctional facility programs. Field evaluations neglected local lockups and State minimumand medium-security facilities. The mortality review function was backlogged, with reports delayed until they were no longer useful. The American Correctional Association standards should be used for evaluating penal management and State and local correctional facilities should seek accreditation. Field evaluation should be reexamined, inmate deaths should be reviewed by the N.Y. State Department of Correctional Services Physicians Review Committee, and local officers should be appropriately trained and certified. 30 footnotes, 6 charts, 7 tables, and appended materials.