Sing Sing Prison Superintendent's Diaries

Statement on Language

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Overview of the Records

Repository
New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
This series consists of daily diaries kept by warden W. L. Denno of Sing Sing Prison documenting his official activities. Entries include inspections of site personnel and security protocol; details of visitors to the prison, including police investigators; attempted escapes; misconduct of incarcerated individuals; and the warden's attendance at executions. Any official travel necessitating the absence of the warden from the prison is also reported.
Title
Sing Sing Prison Superintendent's diaries
Quantity
0.5 cubic feet
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
B1245
Creator
Arrangement

Chronological.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of daily diaries kept by warden W. L. Denno of Sing Sing Prison documenting his official activities. Entries include inspections of site personnel and security protocol; details of visitors to the prison, including police investigators; attempted escapes; misconduct of incarcerated individuals; and the warden's attendance at executions. Any official travel necessitating the absence of the warden from the prison is also reported.

Of particular note are several entries relating to protests against the executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1953, and other entries noting visits to Joseph Fay by Senate Majority Leader Arthur Wicks, who was later forced to step down over these visits. No diaries exist for 1955 and 1957, and most days do not have entries.

Alternate Formats Available

A sample diary page has been digitized and is available in State Archives Digital Collections.

B1238 Sing Sing Prison Principal Keeper's Daily Journal, 1917-1918, 1938, contains related records.

Processing Information

Originally accessioned as part of old collection #516B, accession -444.

Access Restrictions

State Archives staff will review requests for specific documents and disclose information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law and Personal Privacy Protection Law. Unless a specific law forbids disclosure indefinitely, all records must be disclosed after 75 years.

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