Westfield State Farm Superintendent's Correspondence

Inquiries regarding individuals are arranged alphabetically; additional correspondence is arranged in rough chronological order.

This series consists of correspondence of the superintendent of the New York State Reformatory for Women (after 1931, Westfield State Farm). The series contains unsuccessful requests for information about individuals assumed to be actively or formerly incarcerated in the institution. Carbon copies of replies are usually included, frequently typed on the verso of incoming correspondence. The inquiries are from a variety of sources including state and local government agencies; parole boards; attorneys; law enforcement officials; relatives and friends of inmates; creditors; private and religious social work agencies; child welfare agencies; and agencies of other states.

Additional material includes correspondence received from the commissioner of the Department of Correction; correspondence with the superintendent of the Albion State Training School (known temporarily as the State Institution for Mentally Defective Delinquent Women); and correspondence regarding the transfer of inmates, usually to or from Albion State Training School.

This series was transferred to the State Archives prior to 1985. A portion of the series became alienated from the remainder at an unknown date and was originally accessioned as part of series A0525, State Comptroller's Office Assorted Records. The alienated portion was reunited with the series in 2009.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.