Research: Topics: Genealogy: Department of Corrections: Description: Institutional Records

C. INSTITUTIONAL RECORDS

WALLKILL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Wallkill Correctional Facility is located at Wallkill, Ulster County. It functions as a medium security general confinement facility for males 21 years of age and older. At present, approximately 550 inmates are confined at Wallkill. When it opened in 1932, Wallkill Prison represented an experiment as the only medium security prison for males in the State's correction system. Its establishment was recommended by the Commission to Investigate Prison Administration and Construction, and construction funds were authorized by legislation in 1931 and 1932. Wallkill was built without a surrounding wall and designed for inmates who could benefit from a relatively open environment and from special habilitation programs in vocational and academic education. Inmates are transferred to Wallkill from maximum security prisons or from the Elmira Reception Center. Transfers are usually at least 18 years of age and most are within three years of scheduled release. Extensive educational programs are offered at Wallkill, especially in vocational training.

14610-87. Inmate case files, 1920-1965 (bulk 1932-1956). R 254 cu. ft.

Approximately 4,500 case files relate to inmates confined at Wallkill Prison from 1932 through 1956. Case files relate to inmates with consecutive numbers between #2 and #6079. The records closely reflect the function of Wallkill as a medium security institution. Because of shorter sentences, lack of discipline problems, and less serious crimes, these case files are usually less voluminous that those from maximum security institutions. Case files may, however, include detailed reports from the institution's Service Unit which closely planned the inmate's vocational and educational program and prepared him for eventual parole.