Texas Department of Criminal Justice: An Inventory of Records at the Texas State Archives, 1849-2004


Overview
	Creator:	Texas. Dept. of Criminal Justice.
	Title	Records
	Dates:	1849-2004
	Abstract:	These records consist of minutes from the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and its predecessors, scattered administrative correspondence of the director, outgoing correspondence from the prison administration during the 1880s, monthly reports from the early 1880s, policy files and manuals, training materials, files from the Ruiz litigation, reports from the Research and Development Division, records of guards and other employees from the early 20th century, convict ledgers, conduct registers, other ledgers containing statistical data by classes of convicts, escape records, photographs, materials from the Texas Prison Rodeo, a few legal documents, scattered maps and blueprints, audio cassette tapes from the Carrasco hostage incident, and copies of The Echo, the prison newspaper. Dates covered are 1849-2004.
	Quantity:	170.08 cubic ft.
	Language	English.

Agency History

"An Act to Establish a State Penitentiary" was passed in 1848 by the Second Legislature. The act established a governing body of the penitentiary as a three-member Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor, with the approval of the Senate. The Board was responsible for creating and distributing a set of rules and bylaws for the administration of the penitentiary, overseeing the treatment of convicts, preparing an annual inventory of property, and making an annual report to the Governor. Over the years, the name and composition of the Board changed. While its basic functions were not greatly altered, some duties were added. These included acquiring land for the Huntsville and Rusk facilities, purchasing machinery, effecting repairs, leasing the penitentiaries, leasing convicts for outside labor, purchasing and/or leasing farms for the employment of convicts, and providing for the transfer of convicts from county jails to the penitentiary. During the 19th century the direct management of the prison was through the inspector, later known as the superintendent. Other officers included assistant superintendents, inspectors of outside camps, the financial agent, and physicians. The superintendent and financial agent had the most direct dealings with the Board and the Governor in the management of the prison system.

The prison system began as a single institution, located in Huntsville, known as the Huntsville Penitentiary. Convicts were put to work in various shops and factories housed within the institution. In 1871, the legislature directed that the penitentiary be leased to private individuals (Chapter 21, 12th Legislature, 1st Called Session). These men, known as lessees, paid the state for the convict labor and use of facilities, and in turn, managed the system, including clothing and feeding the convicts and paying the guards. It was during this period that the outside camp system was firmly established as part of the prison system. In addition to the use of convicts in and around the prison, the convicts were hired out to large labor employers, mainly plantation owners and railroad companies. A second prison facility, Rusk Penitentiary, was built between 1877 and 1882. It began receiving convicts in January of 1883.

In 1881, the Legislature reorganized the prison system, abolishing the Board of Directors, and creating in its place a Penitentiary Board, consisting of the governor, the state treasurer, and the prison superintendent (Chapter 49, 17th Legislature, Regular Session). In April 1883, the administrative system was again reorganized, with the board comprised of the governor and two commissioners appointed by the governor (Chapter 114, 18th Legislature, Regular Session). In 1885, the board composition changed once more, now consisting of three commissioners appointed by the governor (House Bill 562, 19th Legislature, Regular Session). This board was succeeded by the Board of Prison Commissioners in 1910, which was composed of three commissioners appointed by the governor (Senate Bill 10, 31st Legislature, 4th Called Session). The legislation that created the new board also directed the prison system to begin operating again on state account, i.e., lessees no longer managed the prison system, effective in January 1911. Convicts, or inmates, were housed and worked in one of the two prisons or on one of several state prison farms. The shop industries slowed down while the prison farms expanded. This arrangement made it more difficult to provide education and other reform measures. Such measures were generally practiced at Huntsville, with some teaching extended to a couple of prison farms by the early 1900s.

The Texas Prison Board replaced the Board of Prison Commissioners as the governing body for the Texas Prison System in 1927, increasing in size to nine members (House Bill 59, 40th Legislature, Regular Session). The members of the board were appointed by the governor, with senate approval, to six year overlapping terms. The Board formulated the policies and the manager carried them out. During the Board's tenure, 1927-1957, the Board made changes in the system including more emphasis on prison reform, teaching, recreation--including the establishment of the Texas Prison Rodeo--and a new method of classifying inmates. The Texas Prison System became the Department of Corrections in 1957 (Senate Bill 42, 55th Legislature, Regular Session). This Department was governed by the Board of Corrections, composed of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate to six year overlapping terms.

In 1989, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and the Board of Criminal Justice were created (House Bill 2335, 71st Legislature, Regular Session). The Board is composed of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate to six year overlapping terms. The governor may not appoint more than two members who reside in an area encompassed by the same administrative judicial region. This new agency absorbed the functions of three agencies: the Department of Corrections, the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Texas Adult Probation Commission. The Department of Corrections, which was responsible for the operation of the prison system, is now the Institutional Division of the Department of Criminal Justice. This Division still manages the housing of inmates within the prison system. Offenders are currently housed in 73 facilities--59 prison units and 14 transfer facilities, that include five women's units, four medical units, three psychiatric units, a diagnostic unit for initial processing, two boot camps, and two work camps. TDCJ also contracts with seven privately operated facilities to house inmates. As of July 1998, approximately 124,000 offenders were housed in TDCJ units; 6,168 in private facilities.

The other divisions of the Department of Criminal Justice are the Parole Division (including the Board of Pardons and Paroles), the Community Justice Assistance Division (former Adult Probation Commission), the State Jail Division (created in 1993), the Executive Division, Internal Affairs, Programs and Services, Victims Services, Office of the General Counsel, Financial Services, Health Services, Internal Audit, and State Counsel for Offenders. Direct management of the prison system is through an executive director, with each division headed by a director and each individual prison unit managed by a warden.

The prison system has changed since the 1900s. A major penal reform program was initiated in 1947, modernizing agricultural production, initiating industrial production by inmates, and providing improvements in physical facilities for inmates and employees. A Construction Division was created in 1948 to make use of inmate labor, prison-made brick, and concrete for new building projects. In 1963, the Prison-Made Goods Act authorized an Industries Program to produce materials for internal use and for sale to qualified agencies in the state while providing occupational skills training to inmates. Other services available to inmates include education, recreation, religion, and physiological and psychological health care. The Windham School District was created in 1969 to offer GED certificates or high school diplomas to inmates. Junior college and senior college classes are available. Rehabilitation programs offer vocational training, work furlough programs, and community services to aid inmates in securing work upon release and making the adjustment and transition into society. Legal services are also available to inmates through the Office of the General Counsel.

In 1978, a class action suit was filed by inmate David Ruiz and others on behalf of the inmates confined in the various institutions operated by the Texas Department of Corrections against the director W.J. Estelle, Jr. and the Texas Department of Corrections. The courts found the conditions of confinement violated the United States Constitution and appointed a special master and monitors to supervise implementation of the court-ordered changes. These changes have included reduction of crowding in the prisons and the development of better living, health, and working conditions for inmates. TDCJ is still monitored by the federal government to insure continued compliance with the court orders.

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Scope and Contents of the Records

These records consist of minutes from the Texas Board of Criminal Justice and its predecessors, scattered administrative correspondence of the director, outgoing correspondence from the prison administration during the 1880s, monthly reports from the early 1880s, policy files and manuals, training materials, files from the Ruiz litigation, reports from the Research and Development Division, records of guards and other employees from the early 20th century, convict ledgers, conduct registers, other ledgers containing statistical data by classes of convicts, escape records, photographs, materials from the Texas Prison Rodeo, a few legal documents, scattered maps and blueprints, audio cassette tapes from the Carrasco hostage incident, and copies of The Echo, the prison newspaper. Dates covered are 1849-2004. The bulk of the correspondence and other administrative files is dated 1960-1976, the bulk of the convict information in the various ledgers is dated 1850-1950, and the bulk of the photographs dates from ca. 1960 to ca. 1985.

Topics include administration of the prison system, construction of new prisons, inmate classification, industries, rehabilitation of inmates, escapes, training received by guards, changes resulting from the Ruiz litigation, and the Texas Prison Rodeo. Issues of concern to the inmates are largely reflected in The Echo. Of special interest in these records is the information on individual convicts, later known as inmates, dating back to 1849. Descriptions of convicts, basic information about their background, and details of their crime and sentence can be found in the series Convict record ledgers. Where the convicts served their time (at Huntsville, prison farms, railroad camps, etc.), punishments, and when they were released can be found in the series Conduct registers. A large collection of photographs provides visual documentation of some aspects of prison life, including views of buildings, personnel, inmates in class or at work, inmates at recreation, and numerous images from the Texas Prison Rodeo, some dating back to the 1930s. Another type of prison rodeo material is rodeo programs. Lastly, the tapes from the Carrasco hostage incident are the daily dialog between prison officials and inmate gunmen holding hostages. The tapes provide an in-depth look at the longest (as of 1974) prison hostage crisis in U.S. history.

Several series were removed from this finding aid due to the electronic file size limitations imposed by the online finding aid web site (TARO). If you are reading this electronicially, a link to the removed series can be found in each series affected. If you are reading this in paper in the Archives search room, the separate finding aids will be found in dividers within this binder.

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Organization
	The records are arranged in 28 series and nine sub-series:

		Minutes and meeting files, 1881-1885, 1900-2004, 24.63 cubic ft.
		Monthly reports, 1881-1883, 0.24 cubic ft.
		Outgoing letters, 1883-1889, 0.24 cubic ft.
		Administrative correspondence and subject files, 1961-1962, 1967-1969, 1974-1976, 1.88 cubic ft.
		Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections, 1949, 1955, 1958-1964, 1967-1974, 1976, 3.59 cubic ft.
		Administrative correspondence, insanity of inmates, 1950-1954, 1960-1965, 0.71 cubic ft.
		Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services, 1969-1983 (bulk 1973-1983), 0.71 cubic ft.
		Administrative policy files, 1959-1985, 1.88 cubic ft.
		Rules, regulations, policy and procedure manuals, 1947-1991, 0.47 cubic ft.
		In-service training materials, [ca. 1975], 18.47 cubic ft.
		Ruiz litigation administrative files and court records, 1966, 1978-1987, undated (bulk 1981-1983), 1.22 cubic ft. Administrative files, 1966, 1978-1983, undated (bulk 1981-1983), 0.71 cubic ft. Court documents and reports, 1982-1987, 1.41 cubic ft.
		Miscellaneous legal documents, 1906, 1913-1941, 1955 (bulk 1915-1935), 0.47 cubic ft.
		Administrative reports, 1972-1976, 1978, 3.29 cubic ft. (24 volumes)
		Miscellaneous publications and reports, 1940, 1947, 1975, 1977, 1989, 1994, 0.24 cubic ft.
		Employee ledgers, 1893-1939, 2.76 cubic ft.
		Convict record ledgers, 1849-1954 (indexes date 1849-1970), 29.95 cubic ft. (21.75 cubic ft. for the ledgers, 8.2 cubic ft. for the indexes) (29 convict ledgers, 10 indexes, also on 20 reels of microfilm)
		Conduct registers, 1855-[ca. 1976] (bulk 1877-1945), 33.4 cubic ft. (60 ledgers)
		Statistical record ledgers, 1883-1969, 6.4 cubic ft. (9 ledgers)
		Miscellaneous convict ledgers, 1849-1869, 1884-1885, 1897-1970, 4.44 cubic ft. (23 volumes)
		Biennial statistics, 1906-1920, 0.36 cubic ft. (one ledger)
		Escape record, 1851-1943, 0.22 cubic ft. (one ledger)
		Record of United States prisoners, 1874-1883, fractional cubic ft.
		Photographs, [ca. 1911-ca. 1985], undated (bulk [ca. 1965-ca. 1980]), 25.07 cubic ft. Topical photographs, 1920, [ca. 1955-ca. 1985], undated (bulk [ca. 1965-ca. 1980]), 3.6 cubic ft. Topical photographs, [ca. 1911-ca. 1985], undated (bulk [ca. 1960-ca. 1980]), 7.74 cubic ft. Unit photographs, 1933-[ca. 1985], undated (bulk [ca. 1955-ca. 1980]), 9.12 cubic ft. Slides and miscellaneous photographic media, [ca. 1962-ca. 1985], undated, 4.08 cubic ft. Scrapbooks, 1911, [ca. 1940-ca. 1980], undated, 0.53 cubic ft.
		The Echo , 1933-1995, 2.27 cubic ft.
		Maps, [ca. 1960], 1961, 1975, 1984, fractional cubic ft
		Blueprints and drawings, [ca. 1960]-1984, 0.47 cubic ft.
		Texas Prison Rodeo records, 1931-1986, undated (bulk 1973-1980), 4.20 cubic ft. Photographs, [ca. 1934]-1984, undated (bulk 1973-1980), 3.26 cubic ft. Programs and related materials, 1931-1986, undated, 0.94 cubic ft.
		Carrasco tapes, July-August 1974, 0.59 cubic ft.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to: social security numbers (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.101); information about inmates created by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.134 (information confidential by law, Texas Government Code, Section 508.313)) and attorney-client privilege (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.107); an archivist must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Chapter 552). The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate the information requested. If our review reveals information that may be excepted by the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an open records decision from the Attorney General on whether the records can be released. The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten working days after receiving a request to make this determination. The Attorney General has 45 working days to render a decision. Alternately, the Archives can inform you of the nature of the potentially excepted information and if you agree, that information can be redacted or removed and you can access the remainder of the records. These exceptions apply to the series, Ruiz litigation administrative files and court records. All of the Ruiz records are restricted and will have to be reviewed by an archivist before they can be accessed for research. Most of the possible exceptions are not noted in the folder inventory, only exceptions that are less obvious are so marked.

Because of the possibility that portions of these records fall under Public Information Act exceptions including, but not limited to: home addresses of government employees and officials (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Section 552.117), an archivist must review these records before they can be accessed for research. The records may be requested for research under the provisions of the Public Information Act (V.T.C.A., Government Code, Chapter 552). The researcher may request an interview with an archivist or submit a request by mail, fax, or email including enough description and detail about the information requested to enable the archivist to accurately identify and locate the information requested. If our review reveals information that may be excepted by the Public Information Act, we are obligated to seek an open records decision from the Attorney General on whether the records can be released. The Public Information Act allows the Archives ten working days after receiving a request to make this determination. The Attorney General has 45 working days to render a decision. Alternately, the Archives can inform you of the nature of the potentially excepted information and if you agree, that information can be redacted or removed and you can access the remainder of the records. This restriction applies to the series Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections, which contain the home address of TDC board members.

Restrictions on Use

Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).

Researchers are required to use gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.

Several series have use restrictions:

Monthly reports, 1881-1883, 0.24 cubic ft. - This letter press volume cannot be photocopied because of its fragile condition.

Outgoing letters, 1883-1889, 0.24 cubic ft. - These letter press volumes cannot be photocopied because of their fragile condition.

Convict record ledgers, 1849-1954, 29.95 cubic ft. - These ledgers have been microfilmed, use the microfilm instead of the original ledgers. These ledgers cannot be photocopied because of their large size and deteriorating condition.

Conduct registers, 1855-ca. 1976 (bulk 1877-1945), 33.4 cubic ft. - These registers cannot be photocopied because of their large size and deteriorating condition.

The Echo , 1933-1995, 2.27 cubic ft. - Because of the fragile nature of these newspapers, especially the bound sets, patrons need to request the microfilm copies of the papers for use. If the film is unclear or is not available for the date requested, the newspapers can be used. The papers cannot be photocopied due to their fragile condition.

Carrasco tapes, July-August 1974, 0.59 cubic ft. - Due to the fragility of the tapes, duplicates must be used instead of the original tapes.

Technical Requirements

Researchers wishing to access the audiotapes or view the slides must contact the preservation archivist to obtain the necessary equipment.

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Index Terms

	Subjects:
		Prisons--Texas.
		Hostage negotiations--Texas.
		Rodeos--Texas.
		Prisoners--Texas--Religious life.
		Prisoners--Statistics.
		Prisoners--Conduct of life.
		Prisoners--Registers.
		Prisoners--Legal status, laws, etc--Texas.
		Prisons--Texas--Overcrowding.
		Prisons and race relations--Texas.
		Prisoners--Medical care--Texas.
		Prison reformers--Texas.
		Prisons--Law and legislation--Texas.
		Prisoners--Texas--Discipline.
		Prison violence--Texas.
		Escapes--Texas.
		Prisoners--Texas--Recreation.
		Prisoners--Mental health services--Texas.
		Prisoners--Education--Texas.
		Prisoners--Texas--Social conditions.
		Correctional personnel--Texas.
		Investigations.
		Convict labor--Texas.
		Prisons--Texas--Officials and employees.
		Prisons--Texas--Design and construction.
		Prisons--Texas--Maintenance and repair.
		Prisoners--Texas--Transfer.
		Prison industries--Texas.
		Prisoners--Texas.
		Prison administration--Texas.
	Personal Names:
		Ruiz, David--Trials, litigation, etc.
		Beto, George.
		Estelle, Jr., W. J.
		Carrasco, Fred Gomez.
	Corporate names:
		Rusk State Penitentiary.
		Huntsville Penitentiary.
		Texas. Board of Corrections.
		Texas State Penitentiary.
		Texas Prison Board.
		Texas. Board of Prison Commissioners.
		Texas. Penitentiary Board.
		Texas. Dept. of Corrections.
	Document types:
		Manuals--Prisons--Texas--1947-1991.
		Guidelines--Prisons--Texas--1959-1984.
		Executive orders--Prisons--Texas--1959-1984.
		Publications--Prisons--Texas--1940, 1947-1991, 1994.
		Memorandums--Prisons--Texas--1955, 1958-1964, 1966-1967, 1969-1983.
		Announcements--Prisons--Texas--1931-1986.
		Invitations--Prisons--Texas--1931-1986.
		Programs--Prisons--Texas--1931-1986.
		Letterpress copybooks--Prisons--Texas--1881-1889.
		Lists--Prisons--Texas--1881-1883.
		Resolutions--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2004.
		Agendas--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2004.
		Regulations--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2000.
		Rules (instructions) --Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2000.
		Reports--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2000.
		Statistics--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2000.
		Contracts--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2000.
		Leases--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2000.
		Correspondence--Prisons--Texas--1881-2000.
		Minutes--Prisons--Texas--1881-1885, 1900-2004.
		Audiotapes--Prisons--Texas--[ca. 1974 - ca.1976].
		Ledgers--Prisons--Texas--1849-1976.
		Photographs--Prisons--Texas--[ca. 1911-ca. 1985].
		Negatives--Prisons--Texas--[ca. 1911-ca. 1985].
		Slides (Photographs)--Prisons--Texas--1933-[ca. 1975].
		Scrapbooks--Prisons--Texas--1911, [ca. 1911-ca. 1984].
		Newspapers--Prisons--Texas--1933-1935.
	Functions:
		Managing prisons.

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Related Material


	The following materials are offered as possible sources of further information on the agencies and subjects covered by the records. The listing is not exhaustive.
	Texas State Archives
		In addition to the records listed, portions of many 20th century governors' records concern the prison system and related matters. Search governors' finding aids for prisons, prison system, penitentiary, pardons, clemency, or other similar terms. Of particular note are files on prison reform found in the records of Governor Beauford Jester, and files on the Ruiz litigation issues found in Governor Mark White's records.
		Records Relating to the Penitentiary, 1846-1921, 87.85 linear ft.
		Texas Prison Board, Records of the Texas Prison System, 1913-1933, 1943, undated, 1.76 cubic ft.
		Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Building records, ca. 1980-ca. 1985, 100 cubic ft. [unprocessed plans, drawings, etc., concerning changes at Wynne and several other prison units]
		Texas Criminal Justice Division Advisory Board, Minutes, 1969, 1973-1982, 2.47 cubic ft. [includes minutes of Criminal Justice Council]
		Texas Criminal Justice Policy Council, Minutes, 1983-1987, 2 cubic ft. [includes minutes of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council]
		Texas Judicial Advisory Council, Minutes, 1990-2004, 1.67 cubic ft.
		Texas Board of Pardon Advisors, Trial docket, 1907-1908, fractional cubic ft.
		Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Minutes, 1971, 1973-1989, 2.72 cubic ft.
		Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Execution case files (RESTRICTED), 1954-1964, 4.5 cubic ft.
		Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Pardon books, 1898-1930, 2.37 cubic ft.
		Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Parolee reports, 1946-1948, 2.37 cubic ft.
		Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Applications for clemency, 1911-1914, 1929-1939, 2 linear ft.
		Texas Adult Probation Commission, Minutes, 1977-1989, 0.47 cubic ft.
		Texas Adult Probation Commission, Executive Division, Records, 1971-1991 (bulk 1977-1990), 14 cubic ft.
		Texas Legislature, Joint Committee on Prison Reform, Records, 1973-1974, 2 linear ft.
		Texas Legislature, Joint Committee of Investigation into the Prison Commission and Lease of Blue Ridge Farm, Records, 1919, 3 inches
		Texas Legislature, Joint Committee on the Penitentiary, Records, 1863, 1 inch
		Texas Legislature, Joint Committee to Investigate the State Penitentiary System, Records, 1925, 6.5 linear ft.
		Texas Legislature, Joint Committee to Visit the State Penitentiary, Records, 1887, 1 inch
		Texas Legislature, Joint Penitentiary Investigating Committee, Records, 1921, 5 inches
		Texas Legislature, House of Representatives, Committee on Penitentiaries, Minutes and witness affirmations, 1953-1971, fractional linear ft.
		Texas Legislature, House of Representatives, Committee on Penitentiaries, Special Subcommittee to Visit State Penitentiary, Records, 1876, fractional linear ft.
		Texas Legislature, House of Representatives, Committee to Investigate the Retrieve Prison Farm, Records, 1935, fractional linear ft.
		Texas Legislature, Senate, Committee on Criminal Justice, Records, 1981-1992 (bulk 1988-1990), 9.6 cubic ft.
		Texas Legislature, Senate, Penitentiary Investigating Committee, Records, 1915, 7 inches
		Texas Legislature, Senate, Subcommittee on Criminal Matters, Minutes, 1977, fractional linear ft.
		Texas Governor Beauford H. Jester, Records, 1947-1949, memos and report re: Austin McCormick's report on needed prison reform in the prison system, prepared ca. 1947 - Box 4-14/113, fractional
		Texas Governor Mark White, Governor's Office files, 1982-1986, 1 cubic ft.
		Texas Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Records, 1973-1990 (bulk 1987-1990), 28 cubic ft.
		Texas Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Records, 1969-1979, 37 cubic ft.
		Texas Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Records, 1986-1995 (bulk 1991-1995), 97 cubic ft.
		Texas Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, Records, 1973-1976, 13 cubic ft. [unprocessed, files from the Offender Manpower Program - 1986/095]
		Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Execution case files, 1975-2004, 673.25 cubic ft.
		Texas Adjutant General's Department, Ranger records, Frontier Battalion, Lists of fugitives, 1865-1879, 1.5 inches
		Texas Adjutant General's Department, Reconstruction records, State Police, Reports of crimes, arrests, and fugitives, 1870-1873, 0.5 linear ft.
		Texas Secretary of State, Executive clemency records, 1840, 1845-2002, 103.62 cubic ft.
		Strays Collection, Comptroller's Office Strays (specifically folders titled: Correspondence, Texas Prison System), 1931-1932, fractional
		Texas State Reclamation Engineer, Historical files, ca. 1902-1960, 95 cubic ft. [unprocessed - 1982/006]
		Texas State Reclamation Engineer, Surveys [of prison system properties], 1933-1937, 0.5 cubic ft.
		Texas State Reclamation Engineer, Field notes [of prison system properties], undated, fractional cubic ft.
		Dr. Robert F. Pierce Collection, Death row files and assorted prison records and papers 1877, 1978, 1982-1995, 1.48 cubic ft.
		Texas Secretary of State, Assorted records, [ca. 1838-ca. 1935] [Specifically a report of the grand jury, district court of Fort Bend County, on the treatment of prisoners on prison farms in the county and a compromise agreement between Imperial Sugar Co. and the Board of Prison Commissioners, box 2-14/47]
	Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Huntsville
		Records of special interest as related to Archives and Information Services Division holdings: [size and dates of these series are unknown]:
		Inmate files [contact the Institutional Division]
		Historical photographs, Walls Unit [contact the Media Services Unit]
		Litigation files [contact the Office of the General Counsel]
	State Bar Archives, Austin
		Brian Frierson papers [size and dates unknown]
	Newton-Gresham Library, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville
		George Beto papers [size and dates unknown] (A copy of the index to these papers can be found in the Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.)
		Thomas Goree papers [size and dates unknown]
		Various other manuscript and photograph collections.
	Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin
		Various manuscript collections - check the Center for more information about related holdings
		The Echo, scattered issues between 1928-1931 and 1938-1968 [size unknown]
	Cushing Memorial Library, Texas A&M University
		W.J. Estelle Papers, 1927-1984, 14 linear ft.
	Publications
		Catalog (call) numbers are those for reports housed in the Texana Collection of the Texas State Archives.
		The Carrasco Tragedy, Eleven Days of Terror in the Huntsville Prison, by Aline House, 1975 [catalog number - 365.641/H816C]
		Legislature, Report of the Commission Appointed by the Governor of Texas, April 10, 1875 to Investigate the Alleged Mismanagement and Cruel Treatment of Convicts, 1875 [a special commission, catalog number - 365/T312r]
		Legislature, Report of the Penitentiary Investigation Committee including All Exhibits and Testimony taken by the Committee, 1910 [a joint committee, catalog number - 365/Ti]
		Legislature, A Record of Evidence and Statements before the Penitentiary Investigating Committee appointed by the 33rd Legislature of Texas, 1913 [a joint committee, catalog number - 365/Ti2]
		Reclamation Engineer, Texas Prison System Properties, Bulletin No. 26, 1935 [plat book of maps and fields notes, catalog number 627.5/T31b/oversize]

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item and cite the series), Records, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession Numbers: 1936/002, 1998/038, 1998/039, 1998/065, 1998/100, 1998/131, 1998/132, 1999/003, 1999/031, 1999/113, 2000/018, 2001/005, 2002/009, 2003/010, 2004/016, 2004/017, 2004/193, 2005/018

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Governor's Office on October 8, 1936; and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on November 17 and 18, 1997; January 20, April 24, May 26, September 16, 1998; March 5 and September 27, 1999; September 22, 2000; September 19, 2001; September 17, 2002; September 16 and 18, 2003; and September 20, 2004; and from the Texas Legislative Reference Library on August 13, 2004.

Processing Information

Processed by:

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999, March 2001, December 2001, May 2003, December 2004

Other Formats for the Records

The Convict record ledgers and The Echo are also available on microfilm.

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Categories of information found in the convict record ledgers and statistical record ledgers

These categories are listed here to help identify some of the abbreviated information in the convict record ledgers, specifically in the following categories: crime classification, occupations, color, conjugal conditions, education, and habits. These categories are also used in the Statistical records ledgers, dating 1880s-1890s. This list may not include all the crimes or occupations, especially those used in the early to mid 20th century.

Crime classification [or offense]

Abduction
Abortion
Accomplice
Administering poison
Aiding escapes
Altering brands
Arson
Assault to castrate
Assault to murder
Assault to rape
Assault to rob
Attempt to poison
Bigamy
Bribery
Bringing stolen property to Texas
Burglary
Conspiracy to commit theft
Conspiracy to mortgage property
Conspiracy to rape
Conspiracy to release prisoners
Conspiracy to rob
Counterfeiting
Destruction of property
Disposing estray [?]
Disposing of property mortgaged
Driving cattle from range
Driving stock from range
Embezzlement
False swearing
Fraudulent conversion of money
Fence cutting
Forgery
Illegal branding and marking
Illegal voting
Incest
Kidnapping
Maiming
Manslaughter
Misappropriating public money
Murder, first degree
Murder, second degree
Murder, fraud
Obstructing railroad
Offering bribe
Passing forged instrument
Procuring an abortion
Perjury
Rape, life
Rape, term
Receiving stolen property
Resisting officer
Robbery
Robbery, life
Robbery, term
Seduction
Selling mortgaged property
Sending challenge
Sodomy
Stock from range
Swindling
Theft, cattle
Theft, hogs
Theft, horse
Theft, miscellaneous
Theft, sheep
Threat to take life
United States mail robbery
Unlawful burning
Unlawful marriage
Unlawful moving stock
Unlawfully driving
Uttering forgery
Violations of U.S. statutes

Occupations

Bakers
Barbers
Bar keepers
Blacksmiths
Brass, tin, and coppersmiths
Brick masons
Butchers
Cabinet makers
Carpenters
Cigar makers
Civil engineers
Clerks and bookkeepers
Cooks
Dentists
Detectives
Druggists
Engravers
Firemen
Gardeners
Gas Fitters
Jewelers
Lawyers
Livery men
Machinists and engineers
Merchants
Millers and millwrights
Ministers
Miscellaneous
Molders
Musicians
No Trade or profession
Not stated
Nurses
Painters
Peddlers
Penitentiary guards
Photographers
Physicians
Plasterers
Plumbers
Printers
Railroad employees
Real estate dealers
Saddle and harness makers
Sail makers
Sailors
School teachers
Servants
Shoe makers
Silversmiths
Snowmen
Soldiers
Stone cutters
Tailors
Tanners
Telegraphy operators
Turners
Wheelwrights

Color

Black
Indian
Mexican
Mulatto
Not stated
White

Conjugal Condition

Divorced
Married
Single
Widowed

Education

Common
Fine
Illiterate

Habits

Intemperate
Temperate

Return to the Table of Contents

Detailed Description of the Records

Minutes and meeting files, 1881-1885, 1900-2004,
24.63 cubic ft.

These are minutes and meeting files of the various prison boards, dating from 1881 to 1885, and 1900 to 2004. Minutes are present for the State Penitentiary Board, Board of Prison Commissioners, Texas Prison Board, Board of Corrections, and the Board of Criminal Justice. Some of the minutes and meeting files contain letters; copies of leases, easements, or contracts considered by the board; statistical reports on the inmate population; committee reports; reports by the executive director and division directors; board policies; and rules and regulations. The minutes also contain resolutions by the board, generally regarding the death of board members, prison officials, or citizens connected to the prison system. In the 1881-1885 volume of minutes, copies of some documents prepared by the State Penitentiary Board were transcribed at the back of the volume, starting on page 199.

The minutes from 1974 forward also have meeting agenda that usually contain summaries of items to be discussed. Attachments, such as those discussed above, are filed with the agenda, followed by the minutes. Also present are minutes and agenda of the Board of Trustees of the Windham School District, the school district run by the Department of Criminal Justice for inmates, dating 1970-1999. The school district minutes are filed separately from the Board of Corrections/Board of Criminal Justice minutes through 1976, then filed following the Board's minutes for each meeting beginning in 1977. The minutes of the Board's Substance Abuse Subcommittee for 1991-1992 are also present, filed with the minutes of the Board.

Topics of board meetings have varied over the years. Subjects include: the financial status of the prisons, accounts approvals, legislative committee investigations, rules and regulations, appointments, purchasing, reinstatement of guards and other personnel changes, real estate issues, leasing of convict labor, conveying convicts to the penitentiaries, conditions at the prisons and prison farms, authorizing whipping of specific inmates, deaths of inmates, escapes of inmates, transferring inmates between prison units, inmate complaints, inmate educational needs (including high school, college, and vocational education), inmate recreational needs (including books, films, and athletic events such as boxing, baseball, and the Texas Prison Rodeo), constructing new units, improving existing units, agricultural production, prison industries, health and sanitation conditions of the inmates, incidents in prison units of inmates refusing to eat or work, and riots. Special situations are also discussed. These situations have included permission to make a documentary of parolees and their prison experience; requests to write stories about the electric chair and men on death row; and the use of volunteer inmates in burn-related plastic surgery experiments, in psychiatric experiments, and in the use of new medical procedures.

If you are reading this electronically, click on the link to go the full finding aid - Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Minutes and meeting files. If you are reading this in paper, the series finding aid is found in a separate divider within the binder.

Return to the Table of Contents

Monthly reports, 1881-1883,
0.24 cubic ft.

This is a letter-press book containing monthly reports prepared by the superintendent of the state penitentiary for the governor. Reports in this volume date from May 1881 to November 1883. The superintendent reported to the governor biennially and at the end of each month on the condition at the state penitentiary. The monthly reports consist of a cover letter to the governor giving a brief narrative summary of the activities over the past month and several statistical tables, including the number of convicts received; lists of convicts discharged, pardoned, escaped, recaptured, died, and hospitalized; clothing and other provisions issued; transportation vouchers paid; and the number of convicts on hand during the month, including a breakdown by location. The data reported includes the state penitentiary and all the outside camps where convicts were housed.

Beginning in 1883, data is provided for Rusk penitentiary. Following the February 1882 monthly report is a lengthy narrative on the conditions at the penitentiary, seemingly written as part of the biennial report to the Governor. The writing is badly faded and cannot be read in places. At the back of the volume are pages listing United States prisoners housed in the state penitentiary in 1882 and 1883.

Additional monthly statistics on the convicts received and discharged, and on the classification of convicts, or inmates, can be found in the series Statistical record ledgers. Letter copies of the monthly reports that were sent by the superintendent to the governor during the period ca. 1875-1882, can be found in a collection of records held by the Archives and Information Services Division, Records Relating to the Penitentiary, in the series, Reports, Superintendent. Later monthly reports, dating 1914-1916 and 1931-1932, can be found in the finding aid, Miscellaneous reports of the Texas prison system.

Arrangement

These reports are arranged chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Monthly reports, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1998/038

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on November 17, 1997.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

This letterpress volume cannot be photocopied because of its fragile condition.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Box

1998/038-46

Monthly reports, 1881-1883

Return to the Table of Contents

Outgoing letters, 1883-1889,
0.24 cubic ft.

This series consists of two letter press books containing copies of outgoing letters of the State Penitentiary Board, dating from April 1883 to April 1889. They reflect the activities of the penitentiary board in the prison's management. Missing are incoming letters to the board. These letters document a wide range of penitentiary affairs including routine actions such as appointments, and special activities, such as the construction of the state capitol. The volumes contain acknowledgements, responses to requests, appointments, approval of reports and actions of prison officials, and financial transactions. The letters are signed by the secretary of the board and each volume has an index to correspondents. Subjects covered include transportation of convicts to the prison, contracting for convict labor, offers and purchase of land for state farms, and construction work done by convicts for the state capitol.

Arrangement

These records are arranged chronologically.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Outgoing letters, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1936/002

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Governor's Office on October 8, 1936.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

These letterpress volumes cannot be photocopied because of their fragile condition.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, July 1988, October 1999

Box

021-1

Letter press book, April 1883-November 1885

Letter press book, November 1885-November 1889

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative correspondence and subject files, 1961-1962, 1967-1969, 1974-1976,
1.88 cubic ft.

This series consists of administrative correspondence and subject files from the executive director's office, dating 1961-1962, 1967-1969, 1974-1976. The earlier files primarily cover the period when Dr. George Beto served as director, from 1962 to 1972; the 1974-1976 files are from the term of W.J. Estelle, Jr. Materials found within these files include incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, acknowledgements, invitations, directives to farm or program managers, clippings, graduation materials for inmates receiving their GED (announcements, programs, speaking invitations, etc.), and a self-study report on the Windham School District. The most extensively covered topics in these records include agriculture production and education. Other issues covered to a lesser degree, mainly in the miscellaneous correspondence files, include alcoholic counseling, building a prison in West Texas, complaints about conditions, victim compensation, prisoner exchanges with Mexico, the prison rodeo, and choosing a new director for the prison in 1962. Correspondents include the executive director, assistant directors, wardens, other state agencies, local officials, universities, and the general public.

These records represent only a small part of the directors' files that were briefly inspected by an archivist in 1995 on site in Huntsville. At that time, there were an estimated 80 to 100 cubic feet of similar records from the office, dating ca. 1960-1980s. When this series was reviewed again in 1997, most of the records present in 1995 had been destroyed. The materials remaining are clearly incomplete: one group of records dates from 1961 to 1962, 1967 to 1969 and covers A-F of the filing system, and the other group of two cubic feet of loose materials contains mostly unfoldered materials from 1974 to 1976.

Three other administrative correspondence series, Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections; Administrative correspondence, insanity of inmates; and Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services contain records from the 1950s to the 1980s. Another series, Administrative policy files, contains directives and policies from the 1960s-1980s, similar to the ones found in these records, but of a more administrative nature.

Arrangement

Materials are grouped by years, then arranged alphabetically with items within the folders filed in reverse chronological order. When outgoing letters are attached to incoming letters, they are filed by the date of the outgoing letter.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Administrative correspondence and subject files, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1998/038

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on November 17, 1997.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

None.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Correspondence files, 1961-1962

Box

1998/038-47

Agriculture, dairy improvement program, 1962

Candidates for new director, 1961-1962

Governor's office, 1962

Correspondence files, 1967-1969

Box

1998/038-47

Agriculture:

Cattle improvement program, 1967-1968

Cotton, 1967-1968

Crop schedules, July-November 1968

Crop schedules, December 1967-April 1968

Crop schedules, July-December 1967

Directives, December 1968-January 1969

Directives, February-November 1968

Edible crop schedules, September 1968-January 1969

Edible crop schedules, February-August 1968

Edible crop schedules, January 1968

Edible crop schedules, July-December 1967

Edible crops improvement program, 1967

Horse improvement program, 1968

Insect control program, January 1968-January 1969

Insect control program, January 1968

Livestock correspondence, 1968

Pasture improvements, 1968

Veterinarian, 1967-1968

Alcoholic counseling, 1968

Alcoholic counseling, 1967

Box

1998/038-48

Assistant for Agriculture - Frierson, October-December 1968

Assistant for Agriculture - Frierson, May-September 1968

Assistant for Agriculture - Frierson, 1967, January-April 1968

Assistant Director, J.F. Heard, 1967-1968

Blood donation program, 1968

Board of Pardons and Paroles, July-December 1968

Board of Pardons and Paroles, April-July 1968

Board of Pardons and Paroles, 1967, January-March 1968

Capital punishment, 1967

Chaplains, other, 1968

Chaplains, Texas Department of Corrections (TDC), 1968-1969

Assistant for Construction - McKain, September-December 1968

Assistant for Construction - McKain, February-August 1968

Dog improvement program, 1968

Dog kennels - Wynne, 1968

Education - Mr. Alonzo Langley, 1968

Ferguson - GED graduation, 1968

Rodeo, October 1969

Rodeo, January-October 1969

Correspondence files, 1974-1976

Box

1998/038-48

Alcoholic counseling, 1976

Austin Report , December 1975-December 1976

Miscellaneous correspondence:

October-December 1976

September-October 1976

Box

1998/038-49

Miscellaneous correspondence:

September-October 1976

March-October 1976

July-August 1976
[2 folders]

March 1974, June-August 1976

April-July 1976

July 1976

May-June 1976

May 1976

April-May 1976

March-April 1976

February-March 1976

December 1975-March 1976

February 1976

October 1975-February 1976

December 1975-January 1976

Box

1998/038-50

Other prisons, November 1975-March 1976

Other prisons, 1975

Speeches, 1975-1976

Sam Houston State University, April-December 1976

Sam Houston State University, June 1975-March 1976

Windham Independent School District (ISD):

September-December 1976

August 1976

November 1975-August 1976

March 1976

Windham self-study report, 1976

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections, 1949, 1955, 1958-1964, 1967-1974, 1976,
3.59 cubic ft.

This series contains correspondence with the members of the Board of Corrections, dating from 1949, 1955, 1958 to 1964, 1967 to 1974, and 1976. The files from the 1960s largely contain outgoing letters to individual Board members, either from the secretary of the Board, the prison's executive director, or from the assistant directors in the prison administration--Assistant Directors for Treatment, for Construction and Industry, for Agriculture, and for Business and Custody. The files of Chairman H.H. Coffield also contain some outgoing letters, mostly to prison officials or other board members. The chairman of the board for the bulk of these years was H.H. Coffield. His correspondence files are present for 1958-1964, with very little available for 1959. The director in 1959 was O.B. Ellis. He served until his death in 1961 and was succeeded in 1962 by Dr. George Beto. A file also exists for most years containing copies of letters sent to all Board members. Included with Coffield's files are two packets of easements, one for a highway right of way, the other for an electric power distribution line. Topics include notices of meetings, conditions at the prisons, escapes, inmate deaths, experiments using inmates, the Texas Prison Rodeo, leasing or selling of TDC land, treatment reports, construction progress reports, incident reports, disciplinary reports, purchases, budget, personnel changes, and summaries of decisions made at board meetings. Board members served on particular committees (such as Treatment) and correspondence sent to them would usually concern actions taken or needing to be taken by their committee. Also present for some years is a folder entitled "Staff meetings," which contains memoranda between the director and the assistant directors concerning activities in their divisions. There is one audio cassette of a March 1976 board meeting. The tape has not been played and its condition is unknown.

The files from the 1970s contain incoming and outgoing letters to board members, generally between the member and the director, Dr. George Beto until 1972, then, W.J. Estelle, Jr. Topics include notices of upcoming meetings; topics to be discussed at the next meeting; leasing land for oil and gas exploration; prison incidents, such as inmates' refusal to work or riots; agriculture production; policy changes; racism, especially in hiring and placement of minority employees; research activities of the Research, Planning, and Development Division; reactions to prison-related incidents in other states, such as the Attica riots; and legislative changes affecting prison management.

Some discussion of the topics in both sets of files can be found in the minutes of the Board of Corrections, see the series (a separate TDCJ finding aid) Minutes and meeting files.

These records represent only a small part of the directors' files that were briefly inspected by an archivist in 1995 on site in Huntsville. At that time, there were an estimated 80 to 100 cubic feet of similar records from the office, dating ca. 1960-1980s. When this series was reviewed again in 1997, most of the records present in 1995 had been destroyed. The records remaining include two cubic feet of correspondence with Board members (1955, 1958-1964) and one wallet of similar correspondence (1970-1974) found in a filing cabinet housed with the Texas Prison Archives. In 2003 a box of correspondence of the Board of Corrections, mostly the files of Chairman H.H. Coffield (1958-1964, 1967-1970, 1976), was transferred to the Archives.

Three other administrative correspondence series in this finding aid, Administrative correspondence and subject files; Administrative correspondence, insanity of inmates; and Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services contain records from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Arrangement

The records in this series are generally arranged by year, then by board member, with the materials within the folders arranged in reverse chronological order. When outgoing letters are attached to incoming letters, they are filed by the date of the outgoing letter. The files of Chairman Coffield were received in reverse chronological order covering all of his years and have remained as such.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1998/100, 2004/016

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on April 24, 1998 and September 16, 2003.

Restrictions on Access

Restrictions on Use

Researchers wishing to listen to the audiotape must contact the Archives Preservation Officer to obtain the necessary audio equipment.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999, December 2004

Box

1998/038-51

All members of the Board of Corrections, 1960

Warren S. Bellows, Vice Chairman, New Construction Committee:

March-November 1960

January-March 1960

Walter W. Cardwell, Agriculture and Livestock Committee, (deceased 3-4-60) January-March 1960

Galloway Calhoun, Sr., Legal and Properties Committee, July-November 1960

Galloway Calhoun, Sr., Legal and Properties Committee, January-July 1960

John S. Justin, Jr., member, November-December 1960

John S. Justin, Jr., member, October-November 1960

Lewis Nordyke, Business and Budget Committee:

July 1960

March-July 1960

January-May 1960

Morris Roberts, Legislative Committee, September-November 1960

Morris Roberts, Legislative Committee, March-September 1960

Dr. Marvin S. Vance, Inmate Treatment Committee:

July-November 1960

February-June 1960

October 1959-February 1960

Jack C. Vaughn, Personnel Committee:

August-September 1960

May-July 1960

December 1959-April 1960

January-March 1960

James Marvin Windham, Secretary, Inmate Statistics and Problems Committee:

September-November 1960

April-September 1960

March-May 1960

January-March 1960

Box

1998/038-52

All members of the Board, March-October 1961

All members of the Board, January-March 1961

Warren S. Bellows, June-December 1961

Warren S. Bellows, December 1960-May 1961

Galloway Calhoun, Sr., May-November 1961

Box

1998/038-52

Galloway Calhoun, Sr., December 1960-March 1961

John S. Justice, Jr., August-November 1961

John S. Justice, Jr., March-August 1961

John S. Justice, Jr., December 1960-March 1961

Leland Kee, October-November 1961

Walter L. Pfluger, May 1961-January 1962

Walter L. Pfluger, January-March 1961

Morris Roberts, June 1960-November 1961

Morris Roberts, August 1960-March 1961

Morris Roberts, January-March 1961

Dr. Marvin S. Vance:

June-December 1961

March-May 1961

February-March 1961

January-February 1961

Jack C. Vaughn:

September-November 1961

May-September 1961

February-May 1961

November 1960-March 1961

Box

1998/038-53

James M. Windham, June-December 1961

James M. Windham, February-May 1961

James M. Windham, December 1960-February 1961

Agenda, Board meetings, November 1961-September 1962

All members of the Board of Corrections, March-December 1962

All members of the Board of Corrections, January-March 1962

Galloway Calhoun, October 1961-April 1962

John S. Justin, October-November 1962

John S. Justin, December 1961-October 1962

Leland Kee, July-November 1962

Leland Kee, January-July 1962

O.J. McCullough, May-November 1962

O.J. McCullough, 1955, 1958

Walter Pfluger, October-December 1962

Walter Pfluger, May-September 1962

Walter Pfluger, January-April 1962

Morris Roberts, January-November 1962

Dr. Marvin S. Vance:

January-November 1962

June-December 1962

April-May 1962

January-March 1962

Jack C. Vaughn:

August-December 1962

June-August 1962

February-May 1962

January-February 1962

Box

1998/038-54

James M. Windham, August-December 1962

James M. Windham, June-July 1962

James M. Windham, January-May 1962

All members of the Board of Corrections, March-July 1963

All members of the Board of Corrections, January 1963

C.A. Holliday, July-November 1963

C.A. Holliday, April-July 1963

John S. Justin, April-September 1963

John S. Justin, January-March 1963

Leland Kee, June-December 1963

Leland Kee, January-June 1963

O.J. McCullough, January-October 1963

Walter Pfluger, August-November 1963

Walter Pfluger, April-August 1963

Walter Pfluger, January-March 1963

Morris Roberts, July-November 1963

Morris Roberts, January-May 1963

Jack C. Vaughn, September-December 1963

Jack C. Vaughn, April-August 1963

Jack C. Vaughn, September 1962-April 1963

Dr. Marvin S. Vance, January-May 1963

James M. Windham:

January-November 1963

August-November 1963

April-July 1963

January-April 1963

Box

1998/038-55

C.A. Holliday, January-June 1964

Leland Kee, January-February 1964

O.J. McCullough, January-February 1964

Walter Pfluger, December 1963-March 1964

Morris Roberts, January-February 1964

Jack C. Vaughn, January-February 1964

J.M. Windham, January-March 1964

Box

2004/016-1

H.H. Coffield, Chairman:

1964

November-December 1963

August-October 1963

July-August 1963

May-June 1963

January-April 1963

January-February 1963

August, 1962; December 1962-January 1963

April 1960, November-December 1962

October-November 1962

August-September 1962

May-July 1962

March-May 1962

February-March 1962

January-February 1962

November-Deccember 1961

September-October 1961

May-August 1961

March-May 1961

January-March 1961

November-December 1960

November 1960

September-November 1960

May-August 1960

December 1959-April 1960

December 1958-January 1959

October-November 1958

October 1958

September-October 1958

July-September 1958

May-June 1958

March-April 1958

March 1958

January-February 1958

Easement for Coffield Unit, FM Road 2054, 1949, 1969-1972

Easement for Central Unit, for electric power distribution line, 1960-1972
[2 folders]

Box

1998/038-55

Staff meetings, directors, September-October 1963

Staff meetings, directors, January-August 1963

Staff meetings, directors, April 1962-February 1963

Board of Corrections, general correspondence:

Box

2004/016-1

1967-1968

November-December 1967; April, September 1970

October-November 1969

August-October 1969

April-July 1969

February-April 1969

January-February 1969

Box

1998/038-55

August-December 1970

January-July 1970

February-April 1970

January-February 1970

July-December 1971

April-June 1971

January-March 1971

November-December 1972

August-October 1972

April-August 1972

March-April 1972

January-March 1972

August-December 1973

May-August 1973

March-May 1973

December 1972-March 1973

Box

1998/038-56

October-December 1974

August-October 1974

June-August 1974

May-June 1974

January-May 1974

Box

2004/016-1

November-December 1976

September-November 1976

April-August 1976

January-March 1976

Photographs of sketch of unidentified board member, probably Coffield, ca. 1976

Audio cassette of board meeting, March 8, 1976

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative correspondence, insanity of inmates, 1950-1954, 1960-1965,
0.71 cubic ft.

This series consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence, questionnaires, reports from other state and federal prison institutions, and other publications, dating 1950-1954 and 1960-1965. These materials concern treatment for the criminally insane. In 1950, the Texas Prison Board, later the Department of Corrections, began considering building a hospital for the treatment of the criminally insane. They solicited input through questionnaires sent to other state and federal prison facilities on how other such hospitals or the treatment of insane inmates were handled. The files include the returned surveys, correspondence, a summary of the survey findings, and a report prepared by director O.B. Ellis for the governor and legislature. In 1954 the Texas Research League interviewed O.B. Ellis and other staff for a report on the treatment of the criminally insane. In the 1960s, the correspondence concerns the treatment of insane inmates and a proposal to merge the Department of Corrections hospital with a hospital run by the University of Texas (UT) Medical Branch in Galveston.

Correspondents in this series include the prison director, O.B. Ellis (1950s) and Dr. George Beto (1960s), prison officials in the federal government and in other states, architects, the American Prison Association, the Texas Research League, Board of Corrections members, and UT Medical Branch personnel. Some discussion of this topic can be found in the minutes of the Board of Corrections, see the series Minutes and meeting files.

Three other administrative correspondence series, Administrative correspondence and subject files; Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections; and Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services contain records from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged topically, with the items within the folders filed alphabetically for the survey responses, and in reverse chronological order for the remaining files.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Administrative correspondence, insanity of inmates, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1998/038

These records were transferred to the Archives and Information Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on November 17, 1997.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

None.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Box

1998/038-57

Insane - report on survey results to Governor and Legislature, 1952

Insane - summary of survey responses, 1952

Insane - survey letters sent to other facilities, 1952

Insane - survey responses:

Alabama - Illinois, 1950-1952

Indiana - Maine, 1952

Maryland - Massachusetts, 1950-1952

Michigan, 1952

Minnesota - New Hampshire, 1950-1952

New Jersey - North Dakota, 1950-1952

Ohio - Oregon, 1950-1952

Pennsylvania - Washington, D.C., and unidentified responses, 1950-1952

Insane - correspondence:

Bureau of Prisons, architect, 1950-1952

American Prison Association, 1950-1952

Richard A. McGee, 1950-1952

Criminally insane, Prison system report, 1952

Texas Research League, interview with Texas Prison System director and staff, 1954

Drawings, medical and pre release center, Blueridge, 1962

TABLE OF CONTENTS