Register of inmates approved for discharge

Chronological by date "certificate" approved.

This volume lists male inmates for whom a "certificate of home and employment" and travel expenses had been provided.

Entries were usually made a few days before the inmate was discharged and provide: date entry made; inmate's name; indication that a "certificate" and a specified amount of travel money to a specified destination had been provided; from whom "certificate" and travel money received (sometimes); and date discharged.

When an inmate's good conduct earned him his discharge, responsible friends or relatives were asked to furnish evidence to the discharging committee that they, or persons named by them, could provide the inmate with a good home and steady employment. This evidence was usually referred to in the volume as a "certificate of home and employment" although an occasional entry would make a general statement such as "father has left papers for his son."

Inmates could then be discharged if they could pay their way home. Many entries indicate that the inmate had received travel money from relatives or other persons with whom he would be living.

The Department of Social Welfare placed these records on loan to the Syracuse University Library from 1960-1977.

Restricted in accordance with Executive Law, Section 501-c(1)(b), relating to confidentiality of individuals in custody of the Division for Youth (now Office of Children and Family Services).