Board of Inspector's journal and meeting minutes B0071

Board of Inspector's journal and meeting minutes

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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:

This series documents the administrative activities of the member of the Board of Inspectors who was designated as the inspector of Auburn Prison. Information includes a brief description of the activities of inspectors such as accepting resignations; inspecting prison facilities, operations, and inmates; granting inmate's permission to write family members, lawyers, and government officials; recording attendance at religious services; and reporting meetings of the Board of Inspectors. Also included are board meeting minutes.

Creator:

New York (State). Board of Inspectors

Title:

Board of Inspector's journal and meeting minutes

Quantity:

0.4 cubic feet

2 volumes

Inclusive Dates:

1860-1877

Series Number:

B0071

Arrangement

Chronological.

Administrative History

Revised Statutes of 1829 stated that Auburn Prison would be under the direction of five inspectors. The Constitution of 1846 provided for an election of a three-member Board of Inspectors of state prisons, having supervisory authority over Auburn as well as other state prisons. Among the duties of the board was appointment and removal of all prison officers.

In November 1877, a consitutional amendment created the Office of Superintendent of Prisons and abolished the system of supervision of state prisons by elected prison inspectors.

Scope and Content Note

This series documents the administrative activities of the member of the Board of Inspectors who was designated as the inspector of Auburn Prison.

Volume 1 (1860-1871) briefly describes activities of the inspectors, such as examination of reports of prison officials; accepting resignations; making appointments; inspection of prison facilities, operations, and inmates; granting permission for individual inmates to write family members, lawyers, and government officials; recording attendance at religious services; and reporting meetings of the Board of Inspectors. Meeting minutes of the entire board are also included.

Volume 2 (1872-1877) continues the description of similar activitites.