Research

Chaplain's rough notes on parole and religious instruction of inmates


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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:
Chaplains functioned as parole agents and were required to keep records of inmates' background, behavior, and progress at the institution and to supervise their parole. This series consists of Chaplain's notes on paroled inmates receiving religious instruction. Information includes name, to whom and date paroled; type of parole, address; parole status, date returned; and subsequent parole dates. Also included are communion class lists and a list of inmates who pledged to stay away from alcohol. Records are restricted.
Creator:
Title:
Chaplain's rough notes on parole and religious instruction of inmates
Quantity:

0.1 cubic feet

1 volume

Inclusive Dates:
1890-1905
Series Number:
A3141

Arrangement

By subject (paroles, religious instruction), then chronological.

Scope and Content Note

This is a volume of notes prepared by the Catholic Chaplain concerning paroled female inmates and male inmates receiving religious instruction.

The front page of the book is inscribed "Parole Book for Girls" referring to the volume's first 141 pages containing the parole records. These records date from 1895-1905 and provide: name; to whom paroled; date paroled; as what paroled (e.g. "paroled as domestic", "paroled as child of family"); address; if doing well or poorly; if ran away; if returned to the institution, and date; and subsequent parole dates. These records were kept more or less reqularly until 1900, when information on the inmate's conduct after being paroled was recorded only infrequently.

The back of the volume contains lists of male inmates in various communion classes and other Sunday School classes from 1890-1895. This is followed by a count of the number of students in communion classes on specified dates between 1901 and 1903.

The final page on which information is recorded contains a list, dated 1907-1908, of male inmates who pledged to abstain from alcohol until age 21.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Rough alphabetical index to paroled female inmates.

Custodial History

The Department of Social Welfare placed these records on loan to the Syracuse University Library from 1960-1977.

Access Restrictions

Restricted in accordance with Executive Law, Section 501-c(1)(b), relating to confidentiality of individuals in custody of the Division for Youth (now Office of Children and Family Services).

Access Terms

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