Research


Auburn Prison Warden's Office Files


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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 consists of Auburn Prison Warden's central administrative files. Records include correspondence; orders; parole applications; character references for paroled individuals; lists of parole applicants and those that were discharged; and population reports. Records relate to Auburn Prison transfers; the segregation, housing and furlough of incarcerated individuals; family visitation; firearms in the arsenal; volunteer services; the escorting of incarcerated individuals outside the prison; punishments; and personal effects at time of transfer.
Creator:
Title:
Warden's office files
Quantity:

8 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:
1901-1973
Series Number:
B0077

Arrangement

Chronological within record type (except for alphabetical letter files).

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of Auburn Prison Warden's central administrative files. Types of records include alphabetical correspondence files arranged by name of correspondent; statements of transfer listing incarcerated individuals and their funds transferred to Auburn, providing consecutive number and name, date sentenced, term, county, gross earnings, fines, expenditures, net earnings, deposits, and remarks; correspondence replying to invitations to witness executions; orders of transfer to or from Auburn; personal effects transfer sheets listing name, number, date, how transferred to Auburn, and items transferred; receipts of records transferred; special orders from the warden regarding such matters as punishment or parole; correspondence and orders from the Prison Department; character references for paroled persons, written by persons who knew the incarcerated individual prior to incarceration and chiefly describing former occupation, work habits, and personal traits; applications for parole; lists of parole applicants and those that were discharged; monthly reports of incarcerated individuals in segregation; principal keeper's monthly statement of time lost by employees; correspondence and other records regarding personnel; daily reports of population; monthly housing reports (distribution of population in cells); lists of those appearing before the parole board; and records of men granted furlough and returned from furlough.

Additional record types include records of firearms in the arsenal; "Itinerary Authorizations" to escort incarcerated individuals to hospitals, funerals, or to transfer them to other institutions; "Results of Court" forms listing punishments given to those who committed infractions; Family Visiting Program Work Sheets listing an incarcerated individual's name and number, visitor, and visitor's address; and copies of records of the Office of Volunteer Services.

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult incarcerated individuals is disclosable under law. State Archives staff will review records containing probation, parole, medical, and juvenile criminal history data and disclose information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law and Personal Privacy Protection Law. The identity of victims of sex crimes is not disclosable. Unless a specific law forbids disclosure indefinitely, all records must be disclosed after 75 years.

Access Terms

Corporate Name(s):
Geographic Name(s):
Subject(s):
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Detailed Description

Contents Box

Accretion: B0077-77
Correspondence Concerning Prison Officials 1
Statements of Transfer 1893-1927 2
Statements of Transfer 1928-1930; Auburn-Clinton Transfers 1925-1930 3
Statements of Transfer 4
Special Orders; Correspondence from Prison Department; Character References; Parole Material 5
Correspondence and Other Records Regarding Personnel; Daily and Monthly Reports 6
Furlough Records; Firearm Records; "Itinerary Authorizations"; "Results of Court" Forms; Punishments 7
Volunteer Services 8