Research

Inmate identification cards


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Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:
These cards provide biographical and physical information about inmates at Matteawan State Hospital, usually including individual photographs on the front of the card. These cards were originally part of the Inmate Identification Files. The identification envelopes for these cards are do not exist. The case files for the inmates described by the cards do exist though. Data on the card includes name, residence, number, aliases, sentencing and commitment information, crime, birth, height, weight, build, nativity, occupation, and fingerprints.
Creator:
Title:
Inmate identification cards
Quantity:

2 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:
1938-1956
Series Number:
A1504

Arrangement

Numeric by inmate number.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of 8" x 8" cards providing basic biographical and physical information on inmates housed at Matteawan State Hospital.

These cards were originally part of the Inmate Identification Files (see series #1501) but were never included in the identification envelopes. There are no identification envelopes for any of the cards that exist. The case files for the inmates described by the cards do exist though. A photograph of the inmate (front and side views) is usually found on the front of the card (others have the photo on the reverse while still others have no photo). The cards provide data on the inmate's name, residence, number, aliases, court term when sentenced, judge, date when sentenced, date when committed to Matteawan, date received, county where court was located, crime, place of transfer, date of discharge, birth, height, weight, build, nativity, occupation, eye color, hair color, left or right handed, scars or marks, and FBI and DCI (later NYSIIS) numbers. On the reverse side of the card are inmate's fingerprints (all ten fingers, left hand, right hand and thumbs together), the date the impression was given and by whom taken.

Related Material

Series A1501, Inmate Identification Files, originally included these cards.

Access Restrictions

Restricted in accordance with Section 33.13, Mental Hygiene Law, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the Office of Mental Health.

Access Terms

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