Research

• Full Finding Aid
• Overview
• Arrangement
• Scope and Contents
• Access Restrictions
• Acquisition Information
• Access Terms

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Western Reformatory For Women Inmate Record Cards

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Arrangement

Cards are arranged alphabetically by inmate name.

Scope and Content Note

This accretion consists of record cards for approximately 900 female inmates incarcerated from circa 1956 to 1970. The cards contain summary information including name; inmate number; Department of Correction number; prison transferred from if applicable; color; alias; age; religion; date of reception; crime; date of conviction; term of sentence; county where convicted; judge; occupation; terms of release (parole, transfer, expiration of term, commutation, etc.). Verso of cards gives date of birth; and certification by judge as to jail time previously served.

Some earlier cards were created by other facilities and forwarded to the Western Reformatory for Women when the inmate was transferred.

Acquisition Information

These records were transferred to the State Archives by the Department of Correctional Services in 2007. The records were housed and transferred along with a much larger series of inmate summary cards (see Series 21833), but were later determined not to be part of that series.

Access Restrictions

Summary information on adult inmates 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