Research: Peoples, Groups, & Cultures: Guide to Historical Records Sources on Latinos
A Preliminary Guide to Historical Records Sources On Latinos In New York State
Appendix B: Potential Historical Records Sources on Latinos in New York State
Correctional Records
New York State Archives
The records of the Department of Correctional Services are among the most important materials available for research at the New York State Archives. From its beginning, New York State was a leader in innovative programs in penology. It established the first juvenile reformatory, the first reformatories for adult males and females, and the most influential early state prison for men. These and other facilities established correctional practices that were replicated in numerous other states throughout the country. The records of New York correctional facilities comprise a unique resource for examining the development of these practices and the lives of tens of thousands of men and women confined in these facilities during the past two centuries.
Use of a number of record series is restricted to protect the personal privacy of inmates confined in the State's correctional facilities. Access to these restricted records may be permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the State Archives.
(Text above taken from the Guide to Records of the Department of Correctional Services, compiled by the New York State Archives.)
Many of the Correctional Services records, particularly those with inmate case files, will contain information on the ethnic background of prisoners.
Inmate case files
Inmate case files from correctional institutions in New York State were preserved as part of a sampling plan. This sampling plan transferred to the New York State Archives a 2% sample of institution case files, and the sample included all case files in several categories, including female inmates, inmates serving a life sentence, those who died in custody, and those from certain racial groups.
Records for the following institutions were collected as part of this plan, and are located in the New York State Archives. This list is not comprehensive. It contains only those records that contained a specific reference to race, ethnicity, or family background.
COLLECTION TITLES:
New York (State). Dept. of Correctional Services.
14610-93B Albion Correctional Facility inmate case files, [ca. 1958-1978] 8 cu. ft. (ca. 38 case files)
14610-98I Albion Correctional Facility inmate case files, 1976-1981. 43 cu. ft. (228 case files)
14610-98G Bushwick Correctional Facility inmate case files, 1956-1976. 1 cubic foot (4 case files)
14610-95B Clinton Correctional Facility inmate case files, [ca. 1938-1978] 36 cu. ft.
14610-97 Downstate Correctional Facility inmate case files, 1976-1981.
10 cu. ft. (ca.50 case files)
14610-98H Eastern New York Correctional Facility (Napanoch) inmate case files, 1976-1981. 20 cu. ft. (121 case files)
14610-98F Fishkill Correctional Facility inmate case files, 1976-1980. 116 cu. ft. (ca. 500 case files)
14610-94B Green Haven and Attica Correctional Facilities inmate case
files, [ca. 1930-1979]
51 cu. ft.
An online name index to Attica inmates is available.
14610-98E Green Haven Correctional Facility inmate case files, 1976-1980.
200 cu. ft. (ca. 850 case files)
19684 Inmate admission and release files, 1976-1984.
2 cu. ft. (2 magnetic tape reels)
14610-93A Inmate case files from multiple institutions, [ca.1930-1976]
21 cu. ft. (ca. 165 case files)
14610-94 Inmate case files from multiple institutions, 1956-1976.
28 cu. ft.
14610-98C Inmate case files from multiple institutions, 1976-1981.
332 cu. ft. (ca. 2,445 case files)
14610-97 Inmate case files from multiple institutions, 1976-1989.
105 cu. ft. (ca. 800 case files)
17620 Inmate release files, 1956-1975.
1 cu. ft. (1 magnetic tape reel)
"studies of inmate population trends and characteristics."
14610-93 Wallkill Prison inmate case files, [ca. 1930-1976]
19 cu. ft. (ca. 275 case files)
14610-98J Woodbourne Correctional Facility inmate case files, 1976-1981.
61 cu. ft. (ca. 275 case files)
OTHER CORRECTIONAL RECORDS
(Records that include reference to race or ethnic background of inmates. These records were not part of the above documentation project.)
Albion State Training School.
B1281 Federal census schedules, 1926-1931.
0.5 cu. ft.
Albion State Training School.
B1282 Yearly statistical summaries of the inmate population, 1930-1942.
0.2 cu. ft. (12 volumes)
Auburn Prison
B0010-77 Psychological examination reports, 1955-1962.
3 cu. ft.
B0056 Register of deaths, 1888-1937.
0.6 cu. ft. (2 volumes)
B0052-77 Physician's office files, 1915-1968.
5 cu. ft.
Clinton Diagnostic and Treatment Center.
B0122 Pre-parole case files, [ca. 1967-1975]
7 cu. ft.
Clinton Prison
B0098 Inmate admission ledgers, 1846, 1851-1866, 1926-1948.
2 cu. ft. (10 volumes) "race if black"
An online finding aid is available.
Dannemora State Hospital
B0149-77 Psychiatric examination case files, [ca. 1968-1971]
1.5 cu. ft.
New York (State). Dept. of Correction. Division of Administration.
14610-88B New York State Institution for Male Defective Delinquents inmate
case files, 1920-1956.
251 cu. ft.
New York (State). Dept. of Correctional Services. Bureau of Records and Statistical Analysis.
17619 Inmate "under-custody"statistical files, 1956-1975 [computer
file].
1 cu. ft. (4 magnetic tapes)
New York House of Refuge
A2087-77 Register of inmates admitted and discharged, 1859-1882.
0.2 cu. ft. (1 volume)
A2088-77 Inmate admission registers, 1882-1932.
1 cu. ft. (3 volumes)
race (either "white" or "col'd" or, after 1911, "negro");
parentage (i.e., ethnicity or nationality);
New York State Reformatory (Elmira, N.Y.)
B0135 Ledger of monthly and cumulative statistics on the inmate population,
1915-1923.
0.3 cu. ft. (1 volume)
Sing Sing Prison
B0145 Case files of inmates sentenced to electrocution, 1939-1963.
19 cu. ft.
