Research

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of a copy of a manual for developing case records of prisoners confined in state prisons or reformatories. The manual was prepared by the Work Projects Administration as part of a technical series of federal guidelines for improving prisoner records in state correctional institutions. This is apparently a copy sent to the Department of Correction. Projects to upgrade recordkeeping were recommended to meet the need for better classification of prisoners. Improved data and administration of information about prisoners would allow for better appraisal for treatment programs and parole decisions.

The manual includes information on the nature and purpose of prisoner records; methods of organizing a case record system; suggested sponsors and objectives of a prisoner records project; information needed to plan a project proposal; and numerous appendices on checking existing records, forms of prisoners' case records, and instructions for project supervisors and staff.