Finding Aid Search

Title

Daily log relating to guard duty

Series Number

B0138

Summary

The volumes in this series were used to record the daily activities and work assignments of guards at Elmira Reformatory. Assignments are listed for up to eighty locations in the institution. Volumes also include remarks regarding unusual events, incidents, disciplinary measures, and staff absences.

Creator

• Elmira Reformatory

Access Restrictions

Portions of the series are restricted to protect personal privacy. Access may be permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the State Archives.

Title

Blueprint plans, drawings, and specifications for improvements to state and municipal jails, penitentiaries, and public buildings

Series Number

A3317

Summary

This series consists of blueprints of city and county penal facilities prepared by municipal architects and departments of correction and submitted to the State Commission of Prisons for approval. Records include building plans, details, sections, and specifications for police stations, city jails, jail portions of office buildings, and county penitentiaries.

Creator

• New York (State). State Commission of Correction

Access Restrictions

Documents relating to existing correctional facilities and other facilities may be withheld under FOIL sect. 87.2(f) ("if disclosed could endanger the life or safety of any person").

Restricted: Certain items are extremely fragile. Use under supervision or with assistance of archivist due to fragile condition.

Title

Elmira Reformatory daily log of population counts

Series Number

B0137

Summary

This series consists of a daily count of the population of incarcerated individuals at the Elmira Reformatory taken Monday through Friday at various intervals. Locations at which population counts were conducted include work areas (construction, laundry, kitchen, etc.); educational classes; guard house; hospital; library; cellblocks; dining rooms; cage floor; center gate and dormitories. Also counted were the number of incarcerated individuals received or paroled. The total population of incarcerated individuals for each count is included along with the name of staff member taking the count.

Creator

• Elmira Reformatory

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Elmira Reformatory admission registers

Series Number

B0131

Summary

This series consists of 11 volumes of registers containing summary information on incarcerated individuals at the time of their admission to Elmira. The registers cover the period from May 24, 1877 to December 27, 1950 and consecutive numbers from 1 to 51274. Registers covering the period from October 14, 1886 to December 4, 1891 and consecutive numbers 2399 to 4973 are missing. Registers provide consecutive number; name of incarcerated individual; date of admission; date of sentence; maximum sentence; crime; county of sentencing; court; judge; age; height; weight; complexion; eye color; hair color; state or country of nativity; nationality; temperate or intemperate; and religion.

Creator

• Elmira Reformatory

Access Restrictions

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.

Title

Ledger of monthly and cumulative statistics on the prison population

Series Number

B0135

Summary

This series consists of statistical profiles of incarcerated individuals at the New York State Reformatory. Category statistics include type of offense; length of maximum and definite sentence; occupation; personal and physical characteristics; educational level; mental level; religion; color; ethnicity; past criminal and institutional history; and level of drunkenness. Other statistics relate to number of incarcerated individuals discharged; paroled; returned for parole violations; pardoned; escaped; transferred to other institutions or died while in prison.

Creator

• New York State Reformatory (Elmira, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Inmate nationality register

Series Number

B1000

Summary

This series consists of a register of inmates by their receiving date, then by nationalities. The first section of the register provides monthly, yearly inmate totals as well as totals t by foreign and native inmates. The second section lists Italian inmates chronologically by date received and includes inmate's names; inmate numbers; what county they are from; their crime; maximum sentence; age; and years in the United States.

Creator

• New York State Reformatory (Elmira, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Urban arterial highway route planning files

Series Number

A0733

Summary

The series consists of plans, correspondence, graphs, and maps relating to arterial highway planning in 38 cities throughout New York. It was the state's intention to integrate arterial highways in the state highway system and cost share with the federal government for the construction and maintenance of the system, with the remainder of costs for required rights of way assumed by the city. Files are organized by city.

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Social and economic surveys of New York cities

Series Number

A4343

Summary

This series primarily contains reports compiled by the federal National Resources Planning Board and the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services detailing conditions in several communities. The reports, which detail each community's conditions in education, health, housing, industry, infrastructure, labor, planning, and transportation - and discuss the impact of the war and military on these areas - were sent to the State War Council to assist with war planning efforts.

Creator

• New York State War Council

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Registers of new incarcerated individuals received by county of sentencing

Series Number

B1110

Summary

This series consists of a register of new incarcerated individuals received at Elmira. Each entry includes their name, sentencing date, date received, and consecutive number.

Creator

• Elmira Reformatory

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of these records.

Title

Photographs of observances of the 150th Anniversary of the American Revolution

Series Number

B0567

Summary

This series consists of photographs of observances of the 150th anniversary of the American Revolution held throughout the state. The photographs show reenactments of battles, plays, and other pageantry; pageant organizers, participants, and spectators; placement of historical markers; scenes of pageant locations; and include photographs of Charles A. Lindbergh. These observances or pageants depicted were part of the statewide celebration of the 150th anniversary of events in 1776 and 1777, authorized by the Legislature in 1926 and 1927.

Creator

• New York (State). Education Department. Division of Archives and History

Access Restrictions

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

Title

Biographical register of incarcerated individuals at the State Industrial School ordered to serve definite sentences

Series Number

B2563

Summary

This series consists of thirty-seven, two-page biographical entries relating to incarcerated individuals at the New York State Industrial School who were ordered to serve temporary, definite sentences at the New York State Reformatory at Elmira. Entries include past criminal history; date of order confining them in the State Reformatory; age, nativity, and nationality; names of closest relatives; family history; personal history; physician's report at time of confinement and at time of departure; vocational assignment while confined; and criminal history following departure.

Creator

• Elmira Reformatory

Access Restrictions

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.

Title

Elmira Correctional Facility inmate case files

Series Number

W0018

Summary

Elmira Correctional Facility, located in Chemung County, N.Y., is a maximum security correctional facility for male felons. Inmate case files describe in great detail the family and social background, arrest, confinement, and release/parole of incarcerated men.

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

Inmate newspaper, <emph render="italic">The Summary</emph>

Series Number

B1001

Summary

<emph render="italic">The Summary</emph>, printed and published by and for the inmates of Elmira Reformatory, claims to be the oldest penal inmate publication, dating from 1883. The four page newspaper reports on national news, sports, and entertainment as well as inmate activities, including contributions from inmates. The newspaper was permitted by the Elmira administration to assist in inmate rehabilitation.

Creator

• New York State Reformatory (Elmira, N.Y.)

Access Restrictions

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