Elmira Reformatory Biographical Register of Men Returned for Parole Violations

Chronological by date incarcerated individual was returned to the reformatory.

This series consists of a 10-volume register of men returned to Elmira for parole violations from 1913 to 1937. Each person has a two-page register relating to his life while on parole and to events leading to his return to Elmira. All the information on incarcerated individuals paroled and returned more than once is included together in the register relating to the first return.

The register includes the following information on each incarcerated individual: consecutive number; name; age; crime for which first sentenced; date first received at Elmira; date paroled; date warrant issued for parole violation; date returned; length of time on parole; trade taught at Elmira; situation during parole (location, employment, religious life, personal and social habits, and arrest information); previous criminal history; employment and criminal history of family members; brief statement from incarcerated individual on why he violated parole; brief report from parole officer with dates and descriptions of parole violations; brief report by the reformatory physician on the physical health, mental health, and moral character of the incarcerated individual; and short prognosis on his ability to reform.

Each volume contains an alphabetical name index referring to the appropriate page in the register.

Summary information on adult incarcerated individuals is disclosable under law. State Archives staff will review records containing probation, parole, medical, and juvenile criminal history data and disclose information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law and Personal Privacy Protection Law. The identity of victims of sex crimes is not disclosable. Unless a specific law forbids disclosure indefinitely, all records must be disclosed after 75 years.