Research

• Full Finding Aid
• Overview
• Arrangement
• Scope and Contents
• Other Finding Aids
• Access Restrictions
• Acquisition Information
• Processing Information
• Access Terms
• Detailed Description
•  Name Index

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New York State Department of Correctional Services Auburn Correctional Facility Incarcerated Individual Case Files

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology.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

Overview of the Records

Arrangement

Roughly numerical by DIN number.

Scope and Content Note

W0006-77A: This accretion consists of approximately 3,750 partial case files relating to incarcerated individuals confined at Auburn Prison from approximately 1912 to 1950. The case files relate to those with Auburn consecutive numbers between 32505 and 48337. These case files relate to different incarcerated individuals than those represented in Auburn case file accession W0006-88D. These case files were maintained in Auburn's Classification Clinic and vary in the types of records found in each. While many files do contain typical classification records (i.e., staff progress reports, psychological reports, results of intelligence tests, and correspondence), approximately 75% of the records are health records. These records include medical histories, summaries of the admission physical, hospital and clinic reports, laboratory reports, and medication and temperature charts. In addition to classification and health records, some case files may include other records such as receiving blotters, work assignment records, pre-parole reports, and correspondence and memorandums relating to the incarcerated individual's confinement and release.

W0006-88D: This accretion consists of approximately 2,400 case files relating to incarcerated individuals confined at Auburn Prison from 1935 to 1956. The case files relate to incarcerated individuals with Auburn consecutive numbers between 46554 and 53395. There is also one box of incomplete files for approximately fifty people released from 1926 to 1934. This accession relates to different incarcerated individuals than those represented in Auburn case file accession W0006-77A. During the period represented by these records, Auburn functioned as a maximum security prison for incarcerated males. From 1933 onward it served solely as a transfer prison, receiving incarcerated individuals from other institutions rather than by direct sentencing from the courts. Reflecting this function, the case files contain many records from institutions of previous confinement, particularly Sing Sing Prison and Elmira Reformatory.

W0006-94A: This accretion contains a 2% sample of case files of men released from Auburn Prison/Correctional Facility after 1956. All incarcerated individuals represented in the accretion originally received life sentences.

W0006-98K: This accretion consists of a 2% sample of case files of incarcerated individuals confined in Auburn Correctional Facility from 1976-1981. Also included are case files for all individuals serving life sentences, those who committed sexual offenses, incarcerated individuals who died in custody, and incarcerated Native Americans. No case files for females are present.

W0006-08: This accretion contains a 2% sample of case files of those incarcerated in Auburn Correctional Facility, the majority of whom were released from 1988-1992. In addition to the sampled case files, files for people who received life sentences, those who committed sexual offenses, incarcerated individuals who died in custody, and incarcerated Asians and Native Americans are included.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

W0006-13, W0006-19: Folder list is available at the repository.

Online Index

 Personal Name Index The index to series W0006 contains 1,825 entries that include the incarcerated individual's name, release date, and identification number. Index currently relates only to those released between 1926 and 1956.

Acquisition Information

W0006-13, W0006-19: This accretion was transferred under RDA 14610 by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

Processing Information

W0006 is formally part of Series 14610, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Incarcerated Individual Case Files. To improve access, Series 14610 was divided into "W" subseries corresponding to individual correctional facilities.

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

Detailed Description