Research: Topics: Genealogy: Department of Corrections: Description: Institutional Records
C. INSTITUTIONAL RECORDS
FISHKILL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Fishkill Correctional Facility is located at Beacon, Dutchess County. It presently functions as a medium security general confinement and work release facility for males 16 years of age and older. Presently, Fishkill confines approximately 1,600 inmates.
Matteawan State Hospital was the earliest institution to occupy the Fishkill site. Officially established by an 1893 law (Chapter 81), Matteawan functioned as a hospital for insane criminals. The new hospital confined and treated individuals committed to it by criminal courts and inmates who were declared insane while serving their sentences at State institutions. The Superintendent of State Prisons had control over the hospital. In 1904 Matteawan's inmate population increased to include those committed by criminal courts or transferred there by the State Commission in Lunacy, those declared insane while serving sentences of one year or less for a misdemeanor, and all female inmates declared insane while serving a sentence. In 1926, Matteawan was assigned to the Department of Mental Hygiene; the following year the hospital was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction. In 1961, an amendment to the law allowed the commitment of youthful offenders, juvenile delinquents, or wayward minors declared insane while serving sentences. In 1976 (Chapter 766), Matteawan was again assigned to the Department of Mental Hygiene.
In 1966 (Chapter 819), the Beacon Institution for Defective Delinquents was created on the grounds of the Matteawan State Hospital. This was for the care, treatment, and training of mental defectives 16 years of age and older. Inmates used the same facilities as Matteawan. Beacon was under the jurisdiction of the Department of Correction, subject to inspection by the Department of Mental Hygiene. In 1967, this institution was renamed the Beacon State Institution.
In 1970, Glenham Correctional Facility was established and the Beacon State Institution was gradually phased out. Glenham's function was to confine defective delinquents who were sentenced by the courts. Defective delinquents who had been confined at Matteawan but who had not been sentenced were subsequently transferred to Department of Mental Hygiene facilities.
In 1973, the Glenham Correctional Facility and the remaining portions of the Beacon State Institution were renamed the Correctional Center for Medical Services at Beacon. In 1974, the Center was renamed the Fishkill Correctional Facility. Matteawan operated separately until 1977, when it was transferred to the Department of Mental Hygiene. The patients at Matteawan were then moved to other Mental Hygiene facilities, and the grounds were combined with those of the Fishkill Correctional Facility.
Matteawan State Hospital
A1504. Inmate identification cards, ca. 1938-1956. R 2 cu. ft.
This series consists of 8" x 8" cards containing basic physical and biographical information on Matteawan inmates. The cards contain information on the inmate's crime and sentence, physical makeup, nativity, and occupation. The card sometimes also contains an inmate's photograph and set of fingerprints.
A1500. Inmate case files from Matteawan and Dannemora State hospitals, ca. 1880-1960. R 273 cu. ft.
This series contains case files documenting the commitment, diagnosis, and treatment of inmates at Matteawan. Case files are also included for inmates transferred from Dannemora State Hospital. The files primarily contain legal papers documenting the commitment process, admissions forms containing basic information on the inmate, physical examination records, and criminal identification records. Some of the case files also contain inmate correspondence, dental records, autopsy reports, and reports regarding the inmate's early life compiled by a relative.
A1524. Inmate medical prescription registers, 1964-1967. R .3 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This series records the types and amounts of medicines prescribed daily to inmates at Matteawan (Ward A).
A1522. Commissary register, 1963-1965. R .1 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume contains a daily record of items either purchased by or issued to inmates.
Fishkill Correctional Facility
A1525. Admission and discharge registers, 1949-1977. R .3 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This series records the name of each Matteawan inmate admitted, with inmate number, ward or institution assigned, and date of discharge.
A1523. Inmate transfer register, 1973-1977. R 1 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This series records information on Matteawan inmates who were transferred to different wards or institutions or who were discharged. The register includes name of inmate and the dates and places where the inmate was transferred.
A1501. Inmate identification files, 1934-1974. R 36 cu. ft.
These records relate to Matteawan inmate physical identity and criminal record. The records include several sets of fingerprints, a negative photograph, copies of criminal record, and Bertillon records for earlier inmates.
A1526. Correction officers' observation log, 1975-1976. R .2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This consists of notes made by Matteawan staff regarding the behavior of inmates. The notes record the date and time of infraction, description of infraction, and any disciplinary action taken.
A1527. Security check registers, 1974-1977. R .3 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
These volumes record guard checks of the various wards at Matteawan. They record names of officers on duty, time of the check, number of patients in each ward, and names of any visitors to the ward.
A1506. Daily ward log report books, 1972-1977. R 2 cu. ft. (18 volumes)
These volumes contain daily entries made by officers detailed to watch traffic entering and leaving each Matteawan ward during a watch period. Included is the names of officers on duty, names of patients placed on the suicide observation watch, names of visitors, census counts of the ward, and results of any inmate searches.
A1514. Physical examination and ward transfer registers, 1957-1977. R .2 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
This series contains information pertaining to physical examinations and transfer of Matteawan inmates to wards. Inmate information includes date of physical examination, inmate physical data, age, marital status, and name of ward or other institution transferred to.
A1511. Nurse's register, 1975-1977. R .2 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
These volumes record information pertaining to nurses' visits to Matteawan inmates. Entries give the name of inmate, description of symptom, and names of drugs administered.
A1513. Log of inmate visits to physicians, 1974. R .1 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This log records information on inmate visits to physicians. Entries provide name of inmate, date of visit, and name of physician.
A1508. Assault registers, 1965-1977. R .2 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
These volumes contain brief descriptions of assaults made by Matteawan patients. Descriptions include names of patients involved, date of incident, and name of officer making report.
A1515. Search logs, 1977. R .4 cu. ft. (4 volumes)
This series contains entries describing searches of inmates in several Matteawan wards including name of inmate and officer and results of the search.
A1518. Special watch logs, 1976-1977. R .2 cu. ft. (11 volumes)
This series contains guard's observations of Matteawan inmates having suicidal tendencies. Observations every half hour are recorded and include names of officer and inmates, ward numbers, and names of any visitors.
A1509. Suicide attempt register, 1967-1976. R .2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume includes brief descriptions of suicide attempts made by Matteawan inmates including name of inmate, description of the attempt, and disposition of the case.
A1507. Visitor log books, 1959-1977. R 1 cu. ft. (6 volumes)
This series contains the dates of visits and the names of individuals, usually professional staff, visiting Matteawan patients.
A1510. Yard visitor log, 1976-1977. R .2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume records the name and address of individuals visiting Matteawan inmates in the outside prison yard, usually on weekends or special holidays.
A1519. Requisition log, 1976. .2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This volume is a partial record of the date and quantity of supplies received at a Matteawan ward during the summer of 1976.
A1516. Inmate clothing registers, 1964-1977. .6 cu. ft. (6 volumes)
This series includes a log of the clothing issued to Matteawan inmates as well as an inventory of unused clothing for one Matteawan ward.
A1520. Clothing room log, 1975. .1 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This is a partial listing of clothing supplies available at one Matteawan ward.
A1517. Packages received registers, 1969-1976. R .3 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
This series contains the date of receipt, name of inmate, and content of packages received by Matteawan inmates.
A1528. Inmate trip register, 1975-1976. R .1 cu. ft. (1 volume)
This series records the dates, destinations, name of inmates and officers on trips taken from Matteawan for non-medical reasons.
A1512. Certificates of search, 1971-1975. R .1 cu. ft.
These are copies of forms stating that a Matteawan patient had been searched by an officer prior to transfer to another institution.
