Research: Topics: Genealogy: Department of Corrections: Description: Institutional Records
C. INSTITUTIONAL RECORDS
CLINTON CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
- Clinton Prison - Administration
- Clinton Prison - Finances and Industry
- Clinton Prison - Inmate Records
- Clinton Prison - Inmate Health Records
- Dannemora State Hospital
- Adirondack Correctional Treatment and Evaluation Center
Clinton Correctional Facility is located at Dannemora, Clinton County. It is classified principally as a maximum security correctional facility for males 21 years of age and older. Clinton functions as a general confinement facility, a reception center for inmates from the 4th and part of the 5th judicial districts, a detention center for males 16 years of age or older, and a diagnostic and treatment center. Clinton is the largest facility in the corrections system, presently confining approximately 2,700 inmates.
In 1844 (Chapter 245), the legislature authorized the construction of a prison to employ inmates in the mining and manufacturing of iron. Clinton Prison opened in 1845. While inmates were engaged in mining and smelting of iron ore during the 1800s, Clinton's inmate labor activity has consisted primarily of road work, forestry and the manufacture of iron, nails, fur hats, and clothing for State government. During its history, inmates transferred to Clinton have been those with lengthy sentences, discipline problems, or drug addictions. Also, inmates with tuberculosis were usually sent to Clinton to take advantage of its unique Adirondack climate and special hospital facilities. Electrocutions were performed at Clinton from 1895 until 1914, when all executions were transferred to Sing Sing Prison. Inmate disturbances in 1929, resulting in several deaths and injuries, helped lead to extensive reconstruction of the prison during the 1930s and early 1940s.
Clinton was also the site of the Dannemora State Hospital for Insane Convicts which opened in 1900. Dannemora confined and cared for male inmates who were declared insane while serving sentences. Matteawan State Hospital transferred to Dannemora all male inmates who had at least six months left to serve on their sentences. Males serving sentences for felonies in State prisons, reformatories, or penitentiaries, and who were declared insane, were also transferred to Dannemora. In 1912, the name of the institution was changed to the Dannemora State Hospital. In 1972, Dannemora closed and all inmates were transferred to Matteawan.
When Dannemora State Hospital closed, the site became the Adirondack Correctional Treatment and Evaluation Center. This facility offered programs for the habilitation of persistent offenders and included a diagnostic team of specialists in psychiatry and psychology. In 1975, the Center closed and the site was converted into the Clinton Annex, a medium security facility for male inmates. Camp Adirondack, a medium security work camp, was also established at the site in 1975. The following year, Camp Adirondack was transferred to Ray Brook and was renamed the Adirondack Correctional Facility.
Clinton Prison - Administration
B0120. Correspondence and subject files of the warden, 1932-1951. R 1.5 cu. ft.
This series contains correspondence, memoranda, and printed forms concerning a variety of subjects relating to the prison including: accidents involving inmates; aliens (including lists of alien inmates); fires; inmate grievance procedures; lands owned by the prison; and medical reports from the prison hospital and clinic.
B0118. Outgoing correspondence of agent and warden, 1845-1912. .5 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
This series contains copies of letters from the agent and warden to State prison inspectors, other State officials, and members of the public concerning administration of the prison, maintenance of inmates, and the mining and manufacture of iron.
B0121. Deputy warden and deputy superintendent inmate supervision files, ca. 1964-1974. R 1.5 cu. ft.
This series contains various records relating to inmate supervision, including copies of weekly punishment reports; internal memoranda; roll calls for prison officers; reports of cases heard by the Board of Parole; minutes of the Adjustment Committee; and records relating to cases when inmates requested protective custody.
B0117. Warden's daily journal, 1904-1909, 1912-1913. .5 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
This journal contains daily entries that include the names and numbers of inmates admitted, discharged, or punished and notations on infractions of rules, punishments, and inmate complaints.
B0115. Diary of the principal keeper, 1868-1884. .3 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
Daily diary entries include information on numbers of inmates, inspection visits, disciplinary incidents, escapes, deaths, construction and repairs, and other prison events.
B0110. Book of general and special orders, 1873-1874. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
Contains copies of general and special orders from the agent and warden concerning the duties of keepers and guards, rules for inmates, and other administrative procedures.
B0116. Record book of prison inspectors, 1848-1864. .3 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This series contains minutes of meetings of the Board of Prison Inspectors and monthly reports of the inspector in charge. The records concern all aspects of the administration of the prison, such as changes in personnel, manufacture of iron, and financial accounts.
B0119. Annual reports, 1922-1953. 1.3 cu. ft. (20 volumes)
These reports usually contain summary statistics on inmate population and prison finances and reports from various units of the prison including the commissary, school, library, hospital, chaplain, psychiatrist, and industries.
B0095. Photographs of Clinton Prison, ca. 1900-1969. R 4 cu. ft.
Approximately 1,500 photoprints and glassplate and film negatives, mostly dating from 1932 to 1945, include views of prison buildings and facilities and locations of accidents, assaults, suicides, and other special occurrences. Included are photographs of inmate art, inmate fingerprints, and tattoos used for identification purposes.
Clinton Prison - Finances and Industry
B0103. Ledger of appropriations and disbursements, 1844-1854, 1859-1873, 1876. .5 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This ledger records amounts received from the State, amounts received in sales from prison industry, and amounts disbursed for various expenses and special purposes.
B0104. Journal of receipts and disbursements, 1846-1854. .5 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This is a daily account of receipts and expenditures at the prison. Amounts paid out were primarily for payroll, expenses of prison inspectors, food, fuel, supplies, and materials for mining and manufacturing.
B1247. Voucher register, 1848-1873. 1 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This is a chronological record of all vouchers paid by the prison agent in response to invoices received from contractors.
B0106. Keeper's time book for convict labor, 1849-1856. .3 cu. ft.
This book documents inmate labor at the prison's iron ore separator. The record provides names of inmates, daily attendance, and total number of days worked.
B0109. Agent's book of contracts, 1853-1864. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume contains copies of contracts made by the prison agent with individuals and firms for the mining and manufacturing of iron, nails, and other products.
B1252. Profit and loss journal, 1870-1875. .5 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This journal contains information on approximately 150 accounts relating to the prison's production of iron and nails. The journal lists the name and amount of the account and a short description of the items supplied.
B1253. Prison inventory and financial accounts ledger, 1871-1873. .2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume contains a 129-page inventory listing every item of furniture, equipment, and property at the prison in 1873. In addition, the volume contains information on several accounts of money owed to the prison that were considered to be bad debts.
B0108. Record of ores mined by prison labor, 1871-1877. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume documents ores mined by prison labor under contract to several firms. Entries provide the date and amounts of ore mined with monthly totals.
B0112. Journal of expenditures for shirt industry, 1891-1892. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This is a daily record of purchases of cloth relating to prison tailoring. Each entry provides the quantity, description, and price of article purchased.
B1246. General ledger, 1899-1910. 1 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This is the principal record documenting the prison's financial transactions. In particular, it records the production of iron and nails, textiles, woodenware, tinware, and other items and their sale to State and local government.
B1248. Cash book, 1910-1915. 1 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This journal records the prison's cash receipts, disbursements and balances during this five year period.
B0114. Manufacturing department inmate employees time book, 1910-1917. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
For inmates in the prison's manufacturing department, this record documents job titles, rate of pay, absences from work, and total days worked each month.
B0113. Travel expense account of prison employees, 1911-1915. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume documents the expenses of prison employees who travelled extensively while escorting escapees or parolees to prison, investigating parolees' employment opportunities, etc.
Clinton Prison - Inmate Records
14610-77. Inmate case files, ca. 1930-1956. R 70 cu. ft.
Approximately 1,600 case files relate to inmates confined at Clinton from approximately 1930 to 1956. The case files relate to inmates with inmate numbers between #16755 and #27620.
14610-91B. Inmate case files, 1940-1954. R 38 cu. ft.
These are case files of inmates with inmate numbers ranging from #26656 to 34051.
B0122. Pre-parole case files, ca. 1967-1975. R 7 cu. ft.
These case files were generated at Clinton's Diagnostic and Treatment Center. They include inmate identification records, staff reports, parole evaluation reports, correspondence, certificates of parole, reports of violation of parole, and other materials relating to an inmate's progress during confinement and parole.
B0098. Inmate admission ledgers, 1846, 1851-1866, 1926-1948. R 2 cu. ft. (10 volumes)
These ledgers provide summary background information on each inmate including physical characteristics, family, education, religion, habits, residence, employment, and criminal history.
An online finding aid is available.
B0142. Alphabetical register of inmates, ca. 1905-1907, 1910. 1 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
These volumes contain inmate name and number, company and cell number, date received, county where convicted, crime, minimum sentence, and information on discharge or parole. For some inmates, the volumes also provide the inmate's grade, age, color, and occupation.
B0097. Inmate record cards, 1914-1975. R 28 cu. ft.
These cards summarize the inmate's background and prison disciplinary record. They provide basic information on the inmate's criminal history, present sentence, family, education, employment, etc. The cards also record disciplinary actions, meetings before the Board of Parole, and inmate work at the prison.
B0096. Daily inmate population census journals, 1920-1942. R 4 cu. ft. (16 volumes)
This record contains a morning and evening census of inmates providing total numbers of inmates located at particular areas of the prison when the census was taken. Notes in the journals include additional information such as names of transfers to or from the prison, summaries of meetings, construction and repairs, escapes and captures, disciplinary action against officers, statistics of attendance at church services, observations of the weather, etc.
B0107. Hall keeper's daily record, 1929-1969. R .3 cu. ft. (1 volume).
This record is a statistical register of the inmate population for each day of the month. Each entry gives total count of prisoners and number of inmates discharged, received, paroled, at court, or on funeral or sick visit.
B0094. Daily disciplinary record, 1895-1896, 1929-1946, 1969-1976. R 2 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This record contains information on daily punishments and assignments of inmates and officers including the names of inmates, description of infractions or complaints, and types of punishments given.
B0105. Chaplain's Office statistical register, ca. 1889-1897. .5 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume provides summary information on inmates including name and number, color, date of reception, crime, where born, family relations, religious life, habits, education, employment, and criminal history.
Clinton Prison - Inmate Health Records
B0123. Medical and psychiatric diagnostic files, 1934-1967. R 132 cu. ft.
These files contain inmate medical and psychiatric and other reports that were prepared by prison clinic staff to determine the physical and mental condition of inmates. The files include inmate blotters, extensive social and medical histories, psychological and psychiatric reports, pre-parole reports, and other detailed records relating to inmates. Many of these records duplicate those normally found in an inmate's case file.
B0100. Physician's register of inmates admitted, 1890-1918. 1 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This register provides basic medical information on inmates as they were received into the prison. The register lists information in categories relating to the inmate's family, social, and criminal background, physical description, and physical health.
B0101. Register of surgical cases, 1897-1918. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume contains a list of inmates admitted to the prison hospital and includes a description of surgery performed, postoperative treatments, and the patient's condition after surgery and treatment.
B1249. Physician's daily log of inmates received, treated, and discharged, 1898-1901. .2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This log provides daily, monthly, and yearly totals of inmates treated by Clinton's physician. In addition, the log provides information on the type and number of meals served in the hospital.
B0102. Hospital admission and treatment registers, 1901-1911. 1 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
These volumes provide information on inmates admitted to the prison hospital and describes any treatments given during the hospital stay.
B0099. Register of hospital admissions (tubercular patients), ca. 1902-1903. .3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This is a register of the hospital ward that cared for tuberculosis patients who had been transferred to Clinton from other institutions. The register contains information on the inmate's general health, nationality, family and social background, and source of infection.
B1250. Daily log of morning clinic, hospital, and tuberculosis treatments, 1914-1938. 1 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
These volumes provide basic information on numbers of inmates treated in the prison's clinic and hospital with separate listings of dates and nature of treatments of tuberculosis patients.
Dannemora State Hospital
A1505. Inmate data cards, 1900-1972. R 5.3 cu. ft.
This series consists of index cards providing basic biographical, criminal, and psychological histories of inmates housed at Dannemora. Included is information on the inmate's crime and sentence, criminal history, nativity and family background, previous institutionalization, use of drugs and alcohol, mental tendencies (suicidal, criminal, heredity, homicidal, etc.), and the date of release.
A1502. Inmate commitment files, ca. 1900-1961. R 5 cu. ft.
These records, maintained separately from an inmate's case files, relate to an inmate's commitment to Dannemora. They contain certificates of recovery from mental illness, statements of transfer, inventories of inmates' possessions, applications for writs of habeas corpus, inmate correspondence, newspaper clippings, and orders for withdrawal of writs of habeas corpus.
B0149. Psychiatric examination case files, ca. 1968-1971. R 1.5 cu. ft.
These are case files of inmates who received psychiatric examinations at Dannemora. After these examinations, inmates were transferred to a State mental health facility or back to a correctional institution. Each file contains a personal history form providing information on the inmate, his background, criminal history, and the results of the psychological testing.
A1503. Protestant Chaplain interview files from Dannemora State Hospital and State prisons, ca. 1940-1973. R .5 cu. ft.
These files primarily contain forms completed by Protestant chaplains during interviews conducted to determine the religious affiliations of inmates. Most were completed by chaplains at Dannemora although some were prepared by chaplains at other institutions. The records provide information on the inmate's crime and sentence, background, criminal history, and church affiliation. Some forms include additional information on religious beliefs and on church attendance and activities.
Adirondack Correctional Treatment and Evaluation Center
B0151. Executive office files, 1966-1975. R 24 cu. ft.
This series contains records generated in the administration of Adirondack as well as Dannemora and Clinton. Records include correspondence, memoranda, reports, conference materials, policies and procedures, rules and regulations, forms, manuals, admission requests, work rosters, transfer orders, punishment reports, and other records relating to various programs of these institutions.
B0150. Principal keeper's discipline summary card file, ca. 1966-1975. R 2 cu. ft.
This series consists of record cards providing basic information on Adirondack inmates transferred from other correctional institutions. These cards were maintained by the principal keeper at each of these institutions of previous confinement. Information is included on the inmate's crime and sentence, family, work and educational background, and criminal history. Included also is a disciplinary record detailing infractions and punishments given during the inmate's confinement.
