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Eastern State Penitentiary

Construction of the Eastern State Penitentiary was authorized by legislation passed by the General Assembly on March 21, 1821 that appropriated $100,000 for the construction and also provided for selling county lots to raise additional funds.  Governor Joseph Hiester appointed eleven building commissioners to oversee the project.  After much contention over competing designs, the design submitted by British architect John Haviland (1792-1852) was accepted and work began in 1823.  The new prison received its first prisoners in 1829, though the entire building was not completed until 1836. When completed at a cost of $772,000, the facility contained 400 cells each having its own lighting, ventilation, and exercise yard. Haviland’s design for the Eastern State Penitentiary, later called Cherry Hill, was subsequently emulated in corrections facilities constructed in Belgium, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.  Major renovations were conducted to the facility over the years and a last modernization took place during the late 1930s that resulted in increasing the total number of cells to 945.  Among the famous inmates confined there were Willy Sutton (1942-1946) and Al Capone (1929-1930). The last prisoners were transferred from Cherry Hill to Graterford in 1969.  In 1970 the Eastern State Penitentiary was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now owned by the City of Philadelphia, the Eastern State Penitentiary reopened as a Penology Museum in 1994 and is cooperatively managed by Greater Philadelphia Area Preservation Alliance, the National Park Service, and the City of Philadelphia.. For additional historical background on the Eastern State Penitentiary see Eastern State Penitentiary, Crucible of Good Intentions by Norman Johnston (Philadelphia: 1994). 

Prison Construction Records

Annual Report of the Commissioners for the Erection of a State Penitentiary,
1828.
(1 volume)

{series #15.31} [Holdings]

A brief annual report addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives by the Commission Appointed to Superintend the Erection of the Eastern State Penitentiary dated February 1828 summarizing the progress of the work.

Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for the Erection of a State Penitentiary, Including Rough Copies,
1821-1833.
(3 boxes)
Microfilm Roll #3336

{series #15.32} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of meeting.

Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Commissioners appointed to oversee the erection of the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is date of meeting, names of those present, and a description of the business transacted.  Extensive discussion centers on debates over whether to accept the John Haviland or William Strickland architectural plans, acquisition of land for the facility, and progress reports on construction.

Records Relating to the Construction of the Eastern State Penitentiary Including Land Acquisition Papers, Correspondence, Time and Payroll Records and Accounts,
1821-1839.
(1 box, 5 volumes, 1 folder)

{series #15.33} [Holdings]

Grouped by type of material and arranged thereunder chronologically by date of record.

Correspondence, land acquisition papers, cash account book, receipt book, construction daybook, work and time books, and payroll receipt lists relating to the construction of the Eastern State Penitentiary.  The general correspondence (1831-1839) is addressed to Eastern State Penitentiary Warden Samuel R. Wood. The receipt book is arranged sequentially by receipt number and contains receipts for money paid on the account for work done on the new Eastern State Penitentiary from December 7, 1821 to March 21, 1825.  The land acquisition file contains drafts of tracts acquired for construction of the Eastern State Penitentiary together with related correspondence. The construction daybook covers the period from April 26 - October 23, 1826.  A cash account book covers the period October 25, 1821 to January 31, 1834.  The work and time books cover the period 1824 to 1832. Also present is general correspondence of architect John Haviland relating to acquisition of construction materials and design proposals dated 1823.

Prison Administration Records

Annual and Special Reports,
1829-1908, 1920-1943.
(9 boxes, 42 volumes)

{series #15.34} [Holdings]

Grouped by type of report and arranged chronologically by date of report.

Annual and special reports relating to overseers, physicians, punishments, teaching and moral instruction, and inspection of facilities. The Resolutions of Wardens to Overseers cover the period 1829-1853.  The annual Reports of the Inspectors of the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania are addressed to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives and provide annual summaries of activities, statistical tables, statements giving prisoner number, age, county of residence, crime of which convicted, number of convictions, industrial relations, educational status, type of education received, and occupations in which engaged both prior to arrest and at time of arrest.  The physician reports addressed to the inspectors of the Eastern State Penitentiary (1829-1872) reveal the results of twice weekly and occasional visits by physicians to observe the medical condition of prisoners both at the time of their arrival and during incarceration. Each is signed and dated by the physician.  The Moral Instructor and Teacher Reports (1854-1877) provide breakdowns by cellblock for the number of prisoners who received instruction in arithmetic, reading, writing, and moral behavior, the number of inmates who benefited from instruction, and the number who declined instruction.  The Record of Punishments was commenced under the provisions of Article 7 of the Rules for the Governance of the Prison passed by the Board of Inspectors on June 3, 1843, this information having previously been recorded in the Warden’s Journal.  Commencing in 1920 will be found reports of deaths and discharges of inmates providing such types of information as inmate number, age, gender, race, place of birth, occupation, crime of which convicted, reason for release or cause of death, date of death or release, and time served in years, months, and days.

Bill Book,
1853-1857.
(1 volume)

{series #15.35} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Register of bills paid providing expenditure number, date of bill, name of person or firm to whom paid, nature of expenditure, and amount of bill.

Board of Inspectors Remission of Cost Reports,
1842.
(1 folder)

{series #15.36} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date remission issued.

Orders for remission of the cost of prosecution issued by President John Tyler for prisoners who had served out the terms of their senttences. Information provided is date remission issued, name of inmate, crime for which sentenced, date when sentenced, length of sentence, and name of penitentiary where incarcerated. Inmates receiving such remissions of costs were James Stewarts, Adam Hewing, Alexander William Holmes, William Kromer, Abraham Kromer, and William Blackburn.

County Accounts,
1831-1867, 1869-1870, 1885-1892.
(9 folders, 1 volume)

{series #15.37} [Holdings]

Grouped alphabetically by county and thereunder chronologically by date of account.

Records of payments by counties for the support of the county’s inmates who were incarcerated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Information provided is account number, name of person for whom support was paid, and amount of support paid.

Financial and Statistical Statements and Reports Books to the Board of Public Charities,
1829-1904.
(2 volumes)

{series #15.38} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of statement or report.

Miscellaneous financial and statistical statements statements for the Eastern State Penitentiary including reports to the Board of Public Charities for the period 1894-1902. Also present is a loose oversize index dated 1848 and causes for pardons issued 1829-1889.

General Correspondence,
1878-1901.
(12 folders)

{series #15.39} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

Correspondence file of the Warden of the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided include relatives of inmates, concerned private citizens, and officials of other institutions.  Most correspondence consists of inquiries concerning inmates incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary but also includes inquiries of a general nature, invoices, receipts, and miscellaneous subjects.

Guard Log Books,
1900-1910, 1923-1924.
(2 volumes)

{series #15.40} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date and time of entry.

Loh books kept by the guards on duty documenting movements of inmates outside of their cells at the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is date of entry, shift entry covers, names of officers and nurses on duty, number of each inmate outside his cell, location to which he was moved, and time he was returned to his cell.

Index to the Acts of the Assembly Relating to the Eastern State Penitentiary,
Undated.
(1 volume)

{series #15.41} [Holdings]

Arranged alphabetically by subject or title of legislation.

Index to legislation passed by the state legislature concerning the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is title or subject of legislation ine page number on which recorded in the published Pennsylvania Laws, and the date approved.

Journal Relating to the Third Block,
1855-1869.
(1 volume)

{series #15.42} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Journal containing daily entries concerning occurrences in the Third Block of the Eastern State Penitentiary from February 1, 1855 through December 31, 1869.  Information provided is disposition of prisoners, weather conditions, and miscellaneous business transactions.

Letter Press Book,
1907-1908, 1917-1919.
(10 volumes)

{series #15.43} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

Indexed internally, alphabetically by name of correspondent.

Letter press books for correspondence sent by the Warden the Eastern State Penitentiary with other prison officials, foreign embassies, and district attorneys concerning inmate paroles, inquiries from relatives and inmate health and welfare and with local vendors for purchase of food and supplies.

Minute Books of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary,
1829-1953.
(16 volumes)
Microfilm Roll #3336

{series #15.44} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of meeting.

Minutes of the meetings of the Board of Inspectors and Board of Trustees of the Eastern State Penitentiary.  From 1927 these volumes also include entries relating to Graterford.  Information provided is basic operating policies, administrative and fiscal decisions rendered by the Boards, correspondence with the Warden, treasurer reports, statements of receipts and expenditure, and prison population tabulations.

Receipt Books,
1830-1863.
(4 volumes)

{series #15.45} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Record of wages paid by the Inspectors of the State Penitentiary for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  Information provided is date of payment, name of recipient, number of days worked, rate per day, and amount paid.

Registers of Visitors,
1829-1854.
(3 volumes)

{series #15.46} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Visitor registers for the Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is date of visit, name of visitor and their place of residence.

Report of the Board of Trustees on the New Eastern State Penitentiary, Graterford.
[ca. 1928].
(1 volume)

{series #15.47} [Holdings]

Published construction report entitled New Eastern State Penitentiary, Graterford, Pennsylvania by Board of Trustees Eastern State Penitentiary President Henry N. Woolman and Architects Zimmerman, Saxe and Zimmerman of Chicago (Philadelphia, ca. 1928).  The report contains maps, diagrams and floor plans for the new correctional facility at Graterford together with a description of security measures, centralized administration, housing and feeding provisions, and details on each of the buildings.

Testimony Taken During Legislative Investigation of State Penitentiaries,
1897.
(2 boxes)

{series #15.48} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of testimony.

Transcripts of testimony taken during the investigation by the state legislature into the of the management of the Eastern State Penitentiary and the condition and treatment of prisoners at Eastern and Western State Penitentiaries.

Unidentified Index,
1919-1922.
(1 volume)

{series #15.49} [Holdings]

Arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.

Unidentified index providing name of correspondent and page number on which correspondence was recorded.

Warden’s Daily Journals,
1829-1961.
(23 volumes)

{series #15.50} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Daily journals kept by the wardens of the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is daily account of activities in the facility including reception and discharge of prisoners.

Prison Population Records

Admission and Discharge Books,
1844-1888.
(3 volumes)
Microfilm Roll #393

{series #15.51} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by month..

Monthly record books of admissions and discharges to the Eastern State Penitentiary. For admissions the information provided is admission date, inmate number, race, age at admission, gender, physical and mental health, habits, marital status, smallpox vaccination status, hereditary diseases in the family, number of convictions, length of sentence, amount of time spent in county jail, place of birth, and occupation. Discharge information is name of inmate, inmate number, date discharged, race, age when discharged, gender, physical and mental health at time of discharge, health during imprisonment, length of time sewrved, and remarks.

Bertillon Hand Books,
1895-1937.
(12 volumes)

{series #15.52} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Although these volumes are labeled as Bertillon Hand Books, they do not actually contain the measurements of bodily parts that characterize the Bertillon system of prisoner classification.  Rather, they provide such descriptive information as name of prisoner, prisoner number, age, race, gender, county of residence, nature of crime committed, minimum and maximum sentence imposed, number of convictions, date or dates of sentencing, date of admission, date of parole or discharge, reason for discharge, and amount paid in fines.  (While working with offenders detained in Paris’s Palais de Justice in 1882, Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) used statistical methods to devise a system of bodily measurement intended to identify criminal characteristics.  Bertillon’s methods involved photographing each subject looking directly at the camera and in profile with the camera centered on the right ear.  The subject’s height, length of one foot, arm, and index finger were also recorded.  By the 1890s, Bertillon also recognized that fingerprints provided a means for unique identification.  Though Francis Galton, among others, criticized on statistical grounds Bertillon’s system of measuring the hands, head, torso, face and limbs as a method of identifying criminal characteristics, the records generated nonetheless proved valuable for identifying and keeping track of specific individuals convicted of committing crimes. Actual Bertillon record books will be found for the Western State Penitentiary in Bertillon Registration Books, [ca. 1888-1895] [series #15.121}).

Commitment Papers,
1841, 1861-1904.
(7 boxes)

{series #15.53} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by commitment number.

Records of commitment of prisoners to the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is commitment number, name of person committed, county and court in which tried, crime of which convicted, sentence imposed, citation of indictment, and signature of the clerk of court.

Commutation Books,
1865-1918.
(13 volumes)

{series #15.54} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of reception..

Record books of commutations granted to inmates incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information given is date of reception, prisoner number, name of prisoner, age, race, place of birth, number of convictions, location of court in which sentenced, nature of crime for which convicted, date and length of sentence, amount of time expired, date of expiration by commutation, and remarks.

Convict Affidavit Books,
1835-1839, 1850-1856.
(2 volumes)

{series #15.55} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date signed by inmate.

Affidavits signed by inmates received at Eastern State Penitentiary acknowledging the property in their possession at the time of admission.  Information provided is affidavit number, name of inmate, date received, description of any property in his possession, and signature of the warden.

Convict Reception Registers,
1842-1929.
(93 volumes)
Microfilm Rolls #394-399

{series #15.56} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by registration number.

Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of inmate.

Convict registers for prisoners received at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is registration number, name of inmate and any alias used, age, place of birth, whether bound, occupation, complexion, eye and hair color, height, number of convictions, residence of parents, whether can read or write, whether temperate, marital status, whether a property owner, crime of which convicted, sentence imposed, county and court where tried, date sentenced, and occasional remarks on condition of clothing at time of reception.  Some reception registers also give name and address of a family member or friend, names of any other family members also in prison, age at which inmate first left home, number of children, and any hereditary diseases in the family.

Descriptive Registers,
1829-1903.
(5 volumes)
Microfilm Rolls #400-402

{series #15.57} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by registration number.

Descriptive registers of inmates incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is name of inmate, crime for which convicted, sentence imposed, date sentenced, name of court in which tried, name of prosecutor, date admitted, date and reason discharged, and a physical description of the inmate including place of birth, age, occupation, race, hair color and type, height, color of eyes, and distinguishing characteristics.

Discharge Descriptive Dockets,
1873-1934.
(4 volumes)

{series #15.58} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of discharge.

Descriptive discharge dockets for inmates released from the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided name of prisoner, prisoner number, weight, age at time of discharge, gender, crime of which convicted, sentence imposed, date of sentencing, date of discharge, method of discharge, duration incarcerated, occupation practiced, education received while incarcerated, intended place of residence after release, and amount of money received upon discharge.  From 1892, the name of the county responsible for sending the inmate to the penitentiary is given and also occasionally the date the prisoner may have been returned to custody.  Sometimes noted is the amount of property owned by the inmate and the inmate’s weight at time received and when discharged..

Discharge Books,
1830-1858.
(2 volumes)

{series #15.59} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Discharge books for the Eastern State Penitentiary.Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, age at discharge, race, gender, crime for which sentenced, county where sentenced, date sentenced, length of sentence imposed, date discharged, how discharged, length of time served, occupation while in prison, education received while in prison, wheight when received and when discharged, amount earned by inmate in overwork, amount paid on discharge, and place of intended residence.

Medical Statistics Books,
1883-1900.
(3 volumes)

{series #15.60} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Record books of medical statistics kept on the inmate population by resident physicians at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is name of inmate, date of reception, inmate number, race, gender, general physical health, general condition of mental health, description of habits, vaccines received, hereditary diseases in the family, number of convictions, place of birth, occupation, and remarks.

Miscellaneous Descriptive Books,
1829-1842.
(3 volumes)

{series #15.62} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Miscellaneous descriptive books for inmates incarcerated at Eastern State Penitentiary. Information provided is name of inmate, crime for which convicted, sentence imposed, date sentenced, name of court in which tried, name of prosecutor, date admitted, date and reason discharged, and a physical description of the inmate including place of birth, age, occupation, race, hair color and type, height, color of eyes, and distinguishing characteristics.

Parole Prisoners’ Date of Discharge Books,
[ca. 1910-1957].
(2 volumes)

{series #15.63} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Date of discharge book for paroled inmates at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is age, race, gender, county, crime for which convicted, minimum and maximum sentence, number of convictions, fine, date received, date discharged, date sentenced, date minimum sentence expired, date maximum sentence expired, any dates returned from parole and comments.

Population Indexes,
[ca. 1900]
(3 volumes)

{series #15.64} [Holdings]

Arranged alphabetically by surname of inmate.

Indexes to the inmate population of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Information provided is name of inmate, folio number or inmate number, and address or remarks.

Reception Descriptive Book,
1879-1884.
(1 volume)

{series #15.65} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Descriptive books for prisoners received at Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, date received, age, race, gender, county, crime for which convicted, minimum and maximum sentence, number of convictions, fine, date received, date sentenced, date minimum sentence expired, and date maximum sentence expired.

Scrapbooks,
1884-1893, 1908-1917, 1925-1926,
(3 volumes)
Microfilm Rolls #4427-4428

{series #15.66} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of item.

Scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, notices, photographs, and related materials concerning the Eastern State Penitentiary.   

Statistical Books,
1835-1852, 1871-1909, 1911-1913, 1915.
(7 volumes)
Microfilm Roll #3350 for Statistical Book, 1893-1898.

{series #15.67} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Record books containing raw statistical data on inmates incarcerated at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is inmate number, name of inmate, age category, race, gender, marital status, whether widowed or divorced, whether habitual or occasional drinker, number of convictions, whether could read or write, whether kept bound, and any former inmate number.

Time Books,
1889-1950.
(4 volumes)

{series #15.68} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Time books for sentences of inmates at Eastern State Penitentiary.  Information provided is, inmate number, crime for which convicted, sentence imposed, date sentenced, number of years and months served, and number of convictions..

Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory, Huntingdon

Constructed pursuant to the provisions of the Act to Create a Middle Penitentiary District approved by Governor J. F. Hartranft on June 12, 1878 to serve the counties of McKean, Tioga, , Bradford, Sullivan, Lycoming, Northumberland, Columbia, Montour, Fulton, Bedford, Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, Somerset, Blair, Cambria, Huntingdon, Union, Snyder, Dauphin, Perry, Juniata, Mifflin, Clearfield, Clinton, and Centre, the Industrial Reformatory was originally designed to house 250 prisoners.  The first commissioners appointed for the Middle District were Charles Thomson Jones, Henry C, Cowell, George I. Young, (all of Philadelphia); J. K. Moorhead and John Paul of Pittsburgh; William Nolan of Reading, and Henry Rawle of Erie. Modeled on the Elmira Reformatory in New York, the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory for Young Offenders at Huntingdon was opened in 1889 and was later used for "defective delinquents" until 1960. It is today operated as a close-security State Correctional Institution for male inmates.A separate State Industrial Home for Women was opened at Muncy in 1920 and currently continues in operation.

Prison Construction Records

Account Books and Statements,
1879-1888.
(3 folders)

{series #15.69} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of record.

Account books, receipts, and financial statements relating to the construction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  The bank books are for accounts at the Union Bank of Huntingdon, Corn Exchange National Bank, Mechanic’s Bank of Harrisburg, Commonwealth Guarantee Trust and Safe Deposit Company.

Bond Papers,
1879.
(1 folder)

{series #15.70} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of bond.

Bond papers relating to the construction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  These are a copy March 19, 1879 bond of W.W. Morrison of Lock Haven and Amos C. Noyes of Westport to construct the Middle Penitentiary and a copy of the July 15, 1879 bond of John D. Kelley of Renovo, Walter F. Patterson of Philadelphia, Amos C. Noyes of Westport, and John Steward, Jr. of Philadelphia for contracts connected with construction of the Middle District Penitentiary.

Cash Book,
1878-1888.
(1 volume)

{series #15.71} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Cash book relating to the construction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  A record of expenditures for the Middle District Industrial Reformatory providing date of entry, brief description of the nature of the expenditure, and the amount of expenditure.

Construction Release Papers,
1881, 1888.
(1 folder)

{series #15.72} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of release.

Construction releases signed on completion of contract signed by William Elliott of Westmorteland, Henry Shenk of Erie, H. H. Johnson and J. W. Potter of Huntingdon, and Charles H. Humbert of Huntingdon for the construction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.

Construction Work Proposals and Related Records,
1879-1887.
(7 folders)

{series #15.73} [Holdings]

Grouped by type of bid.

Construction work proposals and related records for the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  The work proposals were submitted on specification sheets providing a detailed breakdown of costs in each proposal, date submitted, name and address of person or firm submitting proposal, and signatures of sureties for bond.

General Correspondence,
1878-1886.
(12 folders)

{series #15.74} [Holdings]

Correspondence relating to proposals for the location and construction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory for the Middle District. Also present is a pamphlet published by the Lewistown Daily Sentinel entitled Reasons Why the Penitentiary for the Middle District be Located at Lewistown (October 3, 1877), a copy of the Lewistown Daily Sentinel, (September 27, 1878), and a color Railroad and County Map of Pennsylvania prepared for the Annual Report of the Secretary of Internal Affairs by O. W. Gray & Son, Philadelphia (1876) having sites marked in the Middle District..

Land Acquisition Papers,
1878.
(1 folder)

{series #15.75} [Holdings]

Grouped by type of material.

Land acquisition records relating to the construction of the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Records included amendments to the legislation creating the Middle District, descriptions of the merits of proposed locations of the penitentiary at Selinsgrove, Northumberland, Williamsport, Lock Haven, Bellefonte, Altoona, Bells Mills, Tyrone, Huntingdon, McVeytown, Lewistown, Haleys, and Harrisburg together with general remarks concerning building materials.  Also present is a description of procedures to be followed in acquiring land and descriptions of tracts acquired. A tinted 200 feet to the inch scale diagram depicts the proposed layout of the penitentiary grounds.

Minute Books of the Board of Commissioners for the Erection of the Middle Penitentiary,
1878-1888.
(1 volume)

{series #15.76} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Minute books of the meetings of the Board of Commissioners charged with overseeing the construction of the Middle Penitentiary at Huntingdon.  Information provided os text of legislation authorizing construction, dates of meetings, names of commissioners present, and description of progress of construction and business transacted.

Reports,
1878-1886.
(4 folders)

{series #15.77} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of report.

Annual reports on the construction of facilities on the grounds of the Middle Penitentiary at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date of report, description of progress of construction, names of contractors, descriptions of tracts on which buildings were erected, acquisition of water rights, and names of the commissioners submitting the report. 

Accounts,
1888-1909, 1918-1920.
(8 boxes, 8 folders)

{series #15.78} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of account.

Account payable records for bedding, books, buildings, clothing, fuel and light, horses and feed, house and cell furniture, insurance, machinery supplies, medicines, printing and stationary, repairs, salaries, tools and utensils and tobacco for prisoners at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date of expenditure, brief description of the nature of the expenditure, and amount of expenditure.

Administrative General Correspondence,
1891-1893, 1907-1917, 1924-1926.
(5 folders)
Microfilm Roll #3876-3877

{series #15.79} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of correspondence.

Correspondence relating to routine operations, investigations and related matters concerning the routine daily administration of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date and subject of correspondence, name of correspondents.

Appointments File,
1888-1919.
(3 boxes, 6 folders)

{series #15.80} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of record.

Correspondence, applications, and recommendations submitted to the General Superintendent for staff appointments to serve at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information generally provided is date of application or recommendation, name of appointee, and occasionally names of persons making recommendations.

Attorney General’s Opinions,
1892-1893, 1896-1898.
(1 folder)

{series #15.81} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of record.

Correspondence relating to legal opinions rendered by the Attorney General and their impact on administration of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon,  Information provided is date of correspondence or document, names of correspondence, description of cases leading to opinions, opinion rendered, and questions and resolutions arising from the opinion on operations at facility.

Cash Books,
1905-1906, 1910-1911.
(2 volumes)

{series #15.82} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Cash books for the General Superintendent’s accounts for the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date of entry, brief description of expenditure, and amount of expenditure.

Journals of the Superintendent,
1891-1922.
(3 volumes)
Microfilm Roll #3871

{series #15.84} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Daily Journals kept by the Superintendent detailing both routine activities and out of the ordinary events at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Also present are photographs of inmates, newspaper articles, and notices of escapes that are inserted between or pasted onto the pages. 

Letter Press Books,
1879-1880, 1884-1895.
(7 volumes)
Microfilm Rolls #3872-3876

{series #15.85} [Holdings]

Letter press books of correspondence by General Superintendent of the middle District Penitentiary.  Information provided is date of correspondence, names of correspondents, and the body of the correspondence that reveals details of routine activities of the commissioners and administration.

Minute Books of the Board of Managers and the Board of Trustees,
1888-1955.
(12 volumes)

{series #15.86} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of meeting.

Minute books of the meetings of the managers and board of trustees of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date of meeting, names of those present, reports submitted by managers, description of discussion and business transacted.

Reports,
1889-1950.
(10 boxes)

{series #15.87} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of report.

Annual reports of the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date of report, description of significant activities for the year, size and breakdown of inmate population, and a breakdown of financial information.

Reports and Testimony in Relation to Investigations Made by a Subcommittee of the State Board of Charities and the Board of Trustees,
1890-1896, 1935.
(1 box)
Microfilm Rolls 3877-3878

{series #15.88} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of document.

Reports, correspondence, and transcripts of testimony taken in investigations conducted by the subcommittee if the State Board of Charities and the Board of trustees into the treatment of prisoners and escape attempts at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided varies with type of document but generally includes date of document, names of inmates and persons giving testimony before the subcommittee, and descriptions of conditions in the facility.

Scrapbook,
1889-1929.
(1 volume)

{series #15.89} [Holdings]

Arranged more or less chronologically by date of document.

Photographs, notices, bulletins, bills of fare, holiday cards, newspaper clippings and related types of materials pasted into a scrapbook that document both routine and noteworthy events at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Photographs depict both the interior and exterior of the facilities.  Among these is a complete copy of a newspaper entitled Reformatory Record dated June 23, 1928.

Prison Population Records

Biographical and Descriptive Registers,
1889-1932.
(12 volumes)
Microfilm Rolls 450-452

{series #15.90} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date prisoner was received.

Registers of prisoners admitted to the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date received, prisoner number, name of inmate, age, race, place of birth, number of convictions, county and court where sentenced, date sentenced, crime for which sentenced, maximum sentence and remarks that may indicate parole or release.

Conduct Ledgers,
1889-1898, 1903-1905, 1916-1918.
(5 volumes)

{series #15.91} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Conduct ledgers in which were recorded points earned by inmates incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is ledger number, name of inmate, age, crime for which sentenced, date sentenced, date received, county where sentenced, date of which conduct report entry, sequentially assigned conduct report number, maximum marks reported, number of marks to earn consecution, losses or gains, dates of promotions or reductions, and dates of parole and discharge.

Physicians’ Record of Prisoners,
1889-1910.
(10 volumes)
Microfilm Roll #453 (part)

{series #15.92} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by prisoner number.

Physician’s record books of prisoners incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is name of prisoner, prisoner number, age, race, date of examination, date of birth, nationality and occupation of father, nationality of mother, whether most resembles father or mother, general health, general appearance, date of vaccination, diseases and accidents suffered, history of past nervous or mental disorder, appetite, any problems with sleep, and problems with the bowels or urine, any evidence of hernia, general temperament, any drug habits or tobacco habits, pulse, condition of heart, condition of lungs, condition of thorax, condition of muscles, condition of eyes, condition of ears, mental condition, general remarks, and signature of physician.

Prisoners’ Record,
1889-1929.
(4 volumes)

{series #15.93} [Holdings]

Arranged sequentially by prisoner number.

Record books of prisoners received at the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is prisoner number, name of prisoner, any alias employed by inmate, date convicted, date sentenced, date received, age, race, place of birth, number of convictions, county and court in which convicted, crime for which convicted, date of death where applicable, date of parole, date of escape where applicable, date of return where applicable, date of re-parole where applicable, date of discharge and any remarks.

Record of Maximum Sentences,
1915-1918.
(1 volume)

{series #15.94} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by prisoner number. 

Record book of maximum sentences imposed upon inmates at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is prisoner number, name of prisoner, date sentenced, maximum sentence, crime of which convicted, date upon which expiration of maximum sentence fell, and date released.

Record of Men Paroled,
1890-1894, 1909-1913.
(2 volumes)

{series #15.95} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Record of men paroled from the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is registration number, name of inmate, place of residence, where employed, name and address of employer, date paroled, dates of monthly reports, and date absolutely released.

Record of Special Punishments,
1889-1925, 1931.
(12 volumes)

{series #15.96} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Indexed internally, alphabetically by surname of inmate.

Record of special punishments imposed upon inmates incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Information provided is date of entry, inmate number, name of inmate, description of the infraction by inmate that resulted in the special punishment, date and hour received or released from solitary confinement, number of strokes administered and by whom, and any remarks.

Reformatory Record (Weekly Prison Publication),
1890-1936.
(46 volumes)

{series #15.97} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date published.

Weekly newspaper published by the inmates of the Pennsylvania INdustrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Information provided is date of publication, names of inmates involved in various activities, a descriptions of noteworthy events and activities.

Register of Prisoners,
1889-1899, 1901-1925.
(2 volumes)
Microfilm Rolls #452-453

{series #15.98} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by inmate number.

Register of inmates received at the Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon. Indormation provided is date received, inmate number assigned, name of inmate, race, county and court in which sentenced, date sentenced, crime for which sentenced, maximum sentence imposed, and remarks generally giving date sentence expired or date paroled.

School Attendance Record,
1935-1936.
(1 volume)

{series #15.99} [Holdings]

Arranged numerically by assigned number.

Record of inmates incarcerated at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon who attended school. Information provided is surname of inmate, date left school and whether left school for work, parole or discharge.  In the front of the volume is a list of the names of parole violators.

School Examination Question Book,
1892-1897.
(1 volume)

{series #15.100} [Holdings]

Arranged sequentially by curriculum structure.

Record of school examination questions on history, grammar, arithmetic, physiology, spelling, and civil government that were used by instructors who taught in the school at the Industrial Reformatory at Huntingdon.  Also present is a printed copy of the Terman Group Test of Mental Ability for Grades 7 to 12 prepared by Lewis M. Terman of Stanford University.

School Offense and Punishment Book,
1936.
(1 volume)

{series #15.101} [Holdings]

Arranged chronologically by date of entry.

Record of offenses committed by prisoners while in school.  Information provided is date of offense, prisoner number, surname of prisoner, name of person by whom reported, description of offense, and description of any punishment imposed.

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