THE CENTRAL QUESTION EXPLORED BY THE STUDY WAS UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS PUBLIC OFFICIALS DISPENSED SYMBOLIC REWARDS SUCH AS STUDY COMMISSIONS AND TASK FORCES AND WHICH CONDITIONS PRODUCED TANGIBLE REWARDS SUCH AS ACTUAL EXPENDITURES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS THAT EFFECT CHANGE. THE ANALYSIS INCLUDES DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM AND AN OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH ORIENTATION. A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE PRISON SYSTEM IN NEW YORK IS PROVIDED FROM 1790 TO 1960. CORRECTIONAL POLICIES ARE EXAMINED FOR THE YEARS 1959 TO 1965, 1965 TO 1970, AND BEYOND 1970. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE PENAL SYSTEM IN THE STATE HAS REMAINED ONE IN WHICH BUREAUCRATIC INTERESTS HAVE DOMINATED.