New York State Reformatory Ledgers Relating to the Education, Labor, and Conduct of Incarcerated Individuals

Numerical by consecutive number.

Under the Elmira system, each incarcerated individual's release was determined by good behavior and the accumulation of marks for school achievement, labor productivity, and adherence to institutional rules. This series consists of volumes recording the "credits" and "debits" used in this marking system.

Each page contains the record of a single incarcerated individual. Credits and debits are totaled monthly and the record was maintained until the individual was paroled or had served their maximum sentence.

Included on each page is the following information: consecutive number; name and age; offense; maximum sentence; date received; height and weight; if the incarcerated individual was Black (listed as "colored" in the volume); proposed trade; work assignment (e.g., bindery, paint shop, tailor); name of classes and marks in evening trade school; marks in drawing school; marks in military squad; and monthly totals of debits and credits (year and month, debits for demeanor, study, and labor, description of specific offenses in demeanor, expenses for store purchases, doctor, and board, credits for work, marks for school, notation of promotion or demotion to a new grade, and date of parole or release).

B2011Series B2011, Demeanor report book, contains related records concerning the conduct of incarcerated individuals at the New York State Reformatory at Elmira.

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