The Name Index includes individual names appearing in the records of various state agencies whose records are held by the New York State Archives.
Brought to you by the NY State Department of Corrections. Lists inmates in state prisons going back to the early 1970s. Youthful offenders are not included.
Erie County Penitentiary Prisoner Identification Cards
Listed here are the names of 1,025 inmates at the Erie County Penitentiary from 1896 to 1914. The majority of the pictures date from 1899-1905. We do not know if the collection includes every single person who was committed to the Penitentiary during this date span. These photographs have warped over the years, are not digitized, and may be seen by visiting us in person.
New York State Archives Policy on Access to Records
Explains restrictions on state prison records and psychiatric records, which would include patient records from the Buffalo Psychiatric Center (Richardson complex).
Guide to Records of the NY Department of Correctional Services
This lengthy PDF "describes more than 300 records series comprising approximately 4,000 cubic feet of records. Most of the records described relate to inmates and programs at major correctional facilities and the facilities that preceded them. The records date from 1797 to about 1980, most dating from the 20th century. The majority of records relate to programs at maximum security prisons for male felons, which is the largest segment of the inmate population confined in New York." -New York Corrections Historical Society
The registers include the name of the convict, county, crime, court, judge, date of sentencing, date received in prison, sentence, commutation earned, and discharge date. In some cases, you'll find correspondence regarding commutations as well.