Research

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of printed copies of eight annual reports of the Western House of Refuge for Women at Albion covering the years 1902, 1905, 1908, 1910, 1916, 1918, 1919, and 1922. During this period, the institution was under the supervision of the State Board of Charities. These reports were submitted to the legislature by the institution's Board of Managers, who were given comprehensive responsibilities in the authorizing legislation (Chapter 238 of the Laws of 1890). There are duplicate copies for three of the reports.

The reports begin with a list of members of the Board of Managers and other officers, and remarks to the legislature by the president of the board. These remarks typically feature comments on board membership and monthly meetings, and lists of items of appropriation (under general maintenance, repairs and equipment, new construction) and reappropriation (citing original appropriations bill). Included in the body of the reports are individual reports from various sections of the institution including Superintendent, Treasurer, Medical Department, and the School and Industrial Department. Included also are reports of the institution's farm operation and parole program.

The reports include statistical tables giving totals of imates committed for each year according to categories such as: crime; county of commitment; occupation; age; religion; nationality; and nationality of parents.

The reports also reproduce sections of the law (usually amendments) relating to commitment procedures of inmates and to the operation of the institution. Finally, three of the reports (for 1905, 1910, and 1922) are illustrated by photographs of various buildings and views of the grounds.