Finding Aid Search

Title

Minutes of monthly meetings

Series Number

B1278

Summary

This series consists of monthly meeting minutes held by the Boards of Visitors of the Albion State Training School and its predecessor institutions: Western Correctional Facility and Western Reformatory for Women. Subjects include physical plant improvements, developments in health and educational programs, emergencies, and special events. Also included is a list of inmates received and discharged; a census of inmates and infants and a count of inmates receiving dental and medical attention. Records are restricted to protect personal privacy.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.). Board of Visitors

Access Restrictions

Restricted: pursuant to Personal Privacy Protection Law. Access may be permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the State Archives.

Title

Yearly statistical summaries of the inmate population

Series Number

B1282

Summary

This series consists of statistical summaries of Albion's inmate population. The yearly summaries compare various crimes and sentences with categories of inmate background and characteristics such as age, marital status, children, mental and physical disabilities, race, country of birth, English fluency, length of employment, literacy, education, religious education, and previous crimes, convictions, and incarceration. Also included is a summary of the movement of the inmate population with numbers of inmates in custody, admitted, transferred, discharged, and by race.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Principal Keeper's daily journal of infractions and complaints

Series Number

B0093

Summary

This series records infractions of the rules by officers or inmates, and inmates' complaints. Kept by the assistant superintendent, information recorded includes the date; inmate number (if applicable); name; whether an officer or inmate; whether there were former offenses or complaints; the offense or complaint; action or penalty imposed; days lost; and compensation not earned for the month.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Inmate summary data card files

Series Number

B1555

Summary

This series consists of several card files relating to women confined to the Albion State Training School. Information in card sets varies and may include inmate name; number; date received; county; nationality; age; birth place; offense; sentence; marital status; education; occupation; religion; and previous commitments. Also included are a few newspaper articles on youth center news, appointments and resignations, and meetings.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Photographic prints, negatives, and slides

Series Number

B1008

Summary

This series consists of about 255 color slides, 200 color and black-and-white prints, and 200 negatives. The images include exterior and interior shots, as well as inmate activities and facilities at Albion including religious services, classes (sewing, cooking, etc.), recreational activities, and medical care.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Western Reformatory for Women psychological evaluation reports

Series Number

B0091

Summary

This series consists of patient psychiatric and psychological case files. The files, which typically provide information on the inmate's condition, treatments, medication distributed, and progress, include psychiatric progress notes, medication records, and psychiatric reports. The latter also list patient's age; color; physical characteristics; personality traits when treatment began; crimes; drug abuse; and strengths and weaknesses. Also included are patient letters describing activities and feelings.

Creator

• Western Reformatory for Women

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Psychological evaluation tests and reference information

Series Number

B0090

Summary

This series consists of materials used in inmate psychological testing at the Albion State Training School. Testing materials include mazes; picture arrangement and completion; arithmetic and other problem-solving tests; blank test sheets; Rorschach plates; and information on and instructions for tests. Also included are minutes of a group therapy session and items such as guidebooks for new inmates; rules and duties for officers; and a file on in-service training courses.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Daily activity notebooks

Series Number

B0092

Summary

This series consists of notebooks recording daily activities at the Western Reformatory for Women. Information includes records of routine inspections at various posts; items going into and out of the laundry; officers' orders; issuances of items such as shoes; visitors; behavior of inmates in segregation (separate, tighter-security confinement); and infractions by and action taken against inmates.

Creator

• Western Reformatory for Women

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Albion State Training School daily census of inmate population

Series Number

B0088

Summary

This series consists of daily summary statistical information of inmates entering, leaving, and housed at Albion State Training School. Information includes date; name and case number of inmates received, discharged, or paroled; total number in facility and in various units (for example, hospital, segregation); number in regular cottages; number in the "honor" cottage; number of mothers, adults, and babies in the nursery cottage; number of negroes in the congregate buildings; and totals and averages of adult and infant population for each month.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Western Reformatory For Women inmate record cards

Series Number

B2411

Summary

This accretion consists of record cards for approximately 900 female inmates incarcerated from approximately 1956 to 1970. Cards contain summary personal information and information regarding each inmate's crime, sentence, and terms of release.

Creator

• Western Reformatory for Women

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Lists of clothing and personal items brought by or given to inmates at admission

Series Number

B1285

Summary

This series consists primarily of lists of inmate clothing and personal items recorded at the time of admission. Included is a brief description of clothing or personal items worn or carried in, issued to the inmate by the institution, or placed in storage for the inmate. The lists include the inmate's name, number, birth date and birthplace, marital status, religion, and race.

Creator

• Western Reformatory for Women

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Annual reports

Series Number

B1279

Summary

This series consists of annual reports of the Western House of Refuge for Women. The reports include a list of officers and Board of Managers members; remarks about monthly meetings; lists of appropriations items relating to maintenance, equipment, construction and reports from the Superintendent, departments, farm operation, and parole program. Also included are yearly statistical tables totaling inmates by crime; county of commitment; occupation; age; religion; nationality and other categories; and photographs of buildings and the grounds.

Creator

• Western House of Refuge for Women. Board of Managers

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Albion Correctional Facility inmate case files

Series Number

W0002

Summary

Albion Correctional Facility, located in Orleans County, N.Y., is a medium security correctional facility for female felons. Inmate case files describe in great detail the family and social background, arrest, confinement, and release/parole of incarcerated women.

Creator

• New York (State). Department of Correctional Services

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Albion State Training School Office of the Warden correspondence, memorandums, and subject files

Series Number

B1283

Summary

This series consists primarily of correspondence, memoranda, reports, and clippings from the files of Albion's warden relating to the administration of the institution. Much of the material consists of memoranda about new legislation, policies and procedures affecting Albion. Subjects include hiring, dismissal, job performance, training, and explanation of new policies and procedures. Also included are daily lists of inmates transferred to Bedford Hills when Albion was closed in 1971.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.). Office of the Warden

Access Restrictions

Restricted to protect personal privacy.Access may be permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the State Archives.

Title

Federal census schedules

Series Number

B1281

Summary

This series consists of completed federal population schedules apparently sent by Albion to the Bureau of the Census. They include detailed information on Albion's inmate population, individually and in aggregate. The following schedules are contained in the records: Schedule I – Admissions; Schedule II - Discharges; Schedule III - Movement of Population; Schedule IV - Institutional Staff; Schedule V - Financial Statement and Schedule VI – Parole.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Inmate admission registers

Series Number

B1255

Summary

This series consists of registers providing summary information on inmates admitted to Albion State Training School. Volumes 1-7 contain detailed information related to their personal and criminal histories and confinement at the institution. Volumes 8-10 contain one page of summary information on women received at Albion but only only up to the time of admission to Albion. Volumes 11-13 consist of three distinct alphabetical indexes to inmates, by last name and with corresponding case number.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.

Title

Western House of Refuge for Women Superintendent's daily journal

Series Number

B1257

Summary

The Superintendent's daily journals contain brief notations about activities involving inmates and staff of the Western House of Refuge for Women. Entries document daily institutional life in some detail and contain remarks on the weather and assessments of morale. Information includes inmates admitted, discharged, disciplined, sick; absent staff; educational classes; visitors; construction and repairs to buildings; and special events such as concerts, plays, or class presentations.

Creator

• Western House of Refuge for Women (Albion, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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).

Title

Management investigation hearing testimony

Series Number

B1280

Summary

This series consists of hearing transcripts from special meetings of Albion's Board of Visitors relating to the Board's investigation into mismanagement at the institution. The majority of individuals giving testimony apparently were members of Albion's staff. Much of the testimony relates to the administration of Albion Superintendent George C. Stevens.

Creator

• Albion State Training School (Albion, N.Y.). Board of Visitors

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Western Reformatory for Women employee personnel files

Series Number

B1256

Creator

• Western Reformatory for Women

Access Restrictions

Access to certain documents in this series is restricted. State Archives staff will review requests for specific documents and disclose information pursuant to New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL).

Title

Western Reformatory for Women psychiatric and psychological statistical reports

Series Number

B0089

Summary

This series consists largely of monthly psychiatric and psychological statistical reports. Psychiatric reports include number of inmates interviewed; receiving individual and group therapy sessions; placed under psychiatric observation; examined for classification and preparatory to discharge; and transferred for psychiatric reasons. Psychological statistics include number of subjects tested or interviewed; hours; tests given; reports written; and referral sources. The therapy and counseling statistics files give the name of the counselor; month; name of patient; and dates of sessions.

Creator

• Western Reformatory for Women

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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.