History of Probation

Variations on the concept of probation supervision date back as far as 437 B.C. John Augustus, a cobbler from Boston, Massachusetts, is credited as being the "Father" of modern probation.

In 1841, Augustus proposed that the court release offenders into his care in hopes of rehabilitating them and helping them become productive members of society. He considered factors such as age and character when deciding which defendants were appropriate for release. Augustus is also credited with developing and implementing the presentence investigation and report.

History of Probation in Madison County, New York

The Madison County Probation Department has been in existence since 1915. At that time, the department consisted of one woman, Mrs. Carrie Cornell, whose home served as the probation office from 1915 to 1948. In addition to her probation duties, she was a matron for the Oneida City Police Department and a Madison County Special Deputy Sheriff. Mrs. Cornell was known for her many acts of kindness.

After Mrs. Cornell's retirement, the Probation Department was relocated to the Madison County Courthouse in Oneida, New York. Since 1989, the department has been housed in the Veteran's Memorial Building. The current staff includes the director, two supervisors, four senior probation officers, five probation officers, a probation officer trainee, and three administrative support staff.

Carrie Cornell

Carrie Cornell was born in 1878 in East Davenport, Delaware County, New York, and married Harvey Cornell in 1903. She was appointed the first Madison County Probation Officer on February 5, 1915, and served as the department for the next 33 years, with only part-time stenographic help.

Carrie was an active member of the Zonta Club of Oneida, the First Methodist Church, and various social organizations. She was considered a pioneer in the field of probation and in 1941 was appointed to the advisory committee of the New York State Conference of Probation Officers. Her home served as the probation office, and she kept daily office hours, including weekends, providing emergency shelter when needed.

In addition to her probation duties, she served as a matron for the Oneida City Police Department and as a Madison County Special Deputy Sheriff. She previously worked as a compositor for local newspapers and as a correspondent for several weekly publications.

Carrie was known for her charitable works, distributing clothing, food, and toys to families and children in need. She also pursued writing, publishing skits, poems, and short stories in social magazines. Among her awards were the Roses for the Living Award from the Oneida Rotary Club (1947), First Lady of the Year by Alpha Omicron Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi (1948), and a citation from the Salvation Army for her years of service.

After her retirement in 1948, Carrie remained in Oneida until her death on March 10, 1960, and was laid to rest in Valley View Cemetery.