Research

New York State Department of Correctional Services Central Depository Inmate Summary Cards


Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology.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


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 summary cards for inmates at various state correctional facilities. This series is not comprehensive. Cards between the 1940s and 1980s are more numerous than cards between the 1890s and 1930s. Cards typically indicate the inmate name, various identification numbers, date of birth, race, crime(s) of which the inmate was convicted, facility(ies) at which the inmate was incarcerated, parole eligibility date, date of actual parole, date of discharge, and date of maximum expiration of sentence.
Creator:
Title:
Department of Correctional Services inmate summary cards
Quantity:

22.5 cubic feet

approximately 111300 index cards

Inclusive Dates:
circa 1925-1992
Bulk Dates:
(bulk 1940-1980)
Series Number:
21833

Arrangement

Alphabetical in several chronological sequences.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of summary cards (typically, about 4" x 6") for inmates at various state correctional facilities for the period from the 1890s to the mid 1980s. This series is not comprehensive. Cards between the 1940s and 1980s are more numerous than cards between the 1890s and 1930s.

The format and information on the cards vary over time and from one set of cards to another. Cards typically indicate the inmate name, various identification numbers, date of birth, race, crime(s) of which the inmate was convicted, facility(ies) at which the inmate was incarcerated, parole eligibility date, date of actual parole, date of discharge, and date of maximum expiration of sentence. Only a very few cards list the parents/siblings/spouse and other name aliases of the inmate.

21833-16 This accretion consists of summary cards arranged in two sequences. The first sequence (ca. 1965-1980) contains numerous cards of individual who were incarcerated in local correctional facilities in the downstate region of the state as well as cards similar to those for individual in the earlier accession. The second smaller sequence (ca. 1975-1992) consists of cards for "cooperative cases" for individuals who were paroled from other states who were placed under the supervision of the New York State Division of Parole.

Custodial History

The reason the cards were created is unknown. Possibly they were used to summarize inmate case folders in the Central Depository of the Department of Correctional Services.

Access Restrictions

Certain data in the cards is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Law.

Access Terms

Geographic Name(s):
Subject(s):
Function(s):