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

Box

1998/038-58

Criminally insane:

Correspondence, March-August 1964

Correspondence, with plans of a federal treatment facility, March 1964

Correspondence and reports, 1962-1964

Reports, 1960-1962

Proposed medical program, 1964-1965

Proposed medical program, 1962-1964

Proposal, merging prison hospital with University of Texas Medical Branch hospital, 1965

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services, 1969-1983 (bulk 1973-1983),
0.71 cubic ft.

This series consists of correspondence and memoranda from the assistant director for special services, Dan V. McKaskle, dating 1969-1983 (bulk 1973-1983). During this period W.J. Estelle, Jr. served as executive director of the Department of Corrections. Dan McKaskle was appointed as the executive director in 1983. Files in this series contain correspondence with the Board of Corrections, correspondence with the special master (handling Ruiz-related concerns), files of the general counsel, staff meeting agendas, and memoranda from the executive director, generally sent to all assistant directors, or the assistant directors and the wardens. Topics discussed include meeting notices for Board meetings or warden meetings, appointments, inmate requests to Board members (to review their case, to get transferred to a different unit, etc.), inmate complaints, memos concerning recent rule or policy changes, legislative issues, Ruiz-initiated changes or concerns, attorney visitations, inmate legal services, and incidents occurring at the prison. Correspondents include the executive director, Mr. McKaskle, Board members, the special master, general counsel, attorney general's office, and inmates or their families.

The Special Services Division was created in 1973 following an agency reorganization. It included photography, identification, inmate classification, personnel, and data processing functions. These functions today are part of the Institutional Division's duties.

Three other administrative correspondence series, Administrative correspondence and subject files; Administrative correspondence, Board of Corrections, and Administrative correspondence, insanity of inmates; contain records from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Arrangement

These records are arranged by correspondent, then in reverse chronological order.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services, Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Accession Information

Accession number: 1999/039

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 18, 1997.

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

None.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Box

1998/038-59

Board of Corrections, letter from, 1973-1983

Board of Corrections, letters to, 1972-1983

Special master, Vincent Nathan, correspondence, April-September 1981

Special master, Vincent Nathan, July 1981-February 1983

Special master, Vincent Nathan, May-July 1981

Assistant wardens, meeting agenda, 1974-1983

Warden's directives, miscellaneous, 1969-1972

Staff meetings, 1975-1981

Staff meetings, 1972-1974

Box

1998/038-59

Assistant Director for General Counsel:

August-October 1981

January-August 1981

August-December 1980

March-April 1980

May-November 1979

January-February 1979

September-December 1978

March-November 1978

July-December 1977

April-November 1976

February-December 1975

February-November 1974

Box

1998/038-60

Director's office:

1981
[2 folders]

1980

1979

1978
[2 folders]

1977

1976

1975

1974

1973

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative policy files, 1959-1984,
1.88 cubic ft.

This series contains policy changes and directives issued primarily by the executive director, although some were issued by the assistant director for special services or the assistant director for general counsel. A few administrative directives are also present from staff such as the accountant concerning job specific procedures. Dates covered are 1959-1984. Topics covered in these policy files include inmate affairs (such as health and medical care, work assignments, attorney visits, legal documents, education, recreation, mail, institutional transfers, good time, disciplinary procedures, medical and emergency reprieves, and the pre-release program), administrative and fiscal management, research, construction, business, industry, and personnel. Occasionally copies of rules or regulations related to a specific policy accompany the policy change notice. Some policies were directed to all staff, some just to wardens, some just to the assistant directors, and others to various combinations of staff. The executive directors during this period were Dr. George Beto, 1962-1972, and W.J. Estelle, Jr., 1972-1983. Dan McKaskle, assistant director for special services, took over as director late in 1983.

There are three sets of files. The first set contains two notebooks of policy directives, known as the Texas Department of Corrections Directive's Manual. These directives were generally issued by the executive directors. The first folder contains a table of contents. Sections missing from this manual are Personnel; Security, Safety, and Sanitation; Food Service Policies; and Correctional Industries Programs. Sections present are General Administration and Management; Fiscal and Logistical Management; Inmate Affairs; Research; and Construction. Dates of records in this set are 1961-1976. These files are ordered by topic, then date within the folders.

The next set consists of a set of policies, known as Directives, ordered by the issuer, then chronological by year issued. This set includes a table of policies (or directives) issued to wardens, keyed to the chronological sequence, and an index or table of policies issued by the Board of Corrections--the book and volume they are keyed to is unknown. Most of these directives were issued by the executive directors. A few were issued by D.V. McKaskle, Assistant Director for Special Services and by Robert E. De Long, Jr., Assistant Director for General Counsel. Dates covered are 1963-1983.

The last set of files known as Administrative directives and policy files, consists of policies ordered by topic, containing policies on some topics missing from the first set of files. Also present in some of the files is administrative policy memos, rules, and regulations for some of the TDC units. One directive is accompanied by an instructor's training manual. Most of these directives were issued by the executive director. Dates of these files are 1959-1984.

A related series containing policy manuals and rules and regulations is the series Rules, regulations, policy and procedural manuals.

Arrangement

There are three sets of files. The first set contains files removed from the two notebooks of policy directives, known as the Texas Department of Corrections Directive's Manual. These files are ordered by topic, then date within the folders. The next set consists of a set of policies, known as Directives, ordered by the issuer, then chronological by year issued. The last set of files known as Administrative directives and policy files, consists of policies ordered by topic.

Preferred Citation

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

Accession Information

Accession numbers: 1998/038, 1998/039, 1998/100

Restrictions on Access

None.

Restrictions on Use

None.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Texas Department of Corrections Directive's Manual, 1961-1976

Box

1998/038-61

Table of contents and introduction

General administration and management:

Administrative organization and regulations, 1973-1976

Document and report procedures, 1970-1973

Legislation, 1967-1973

Judicial decisions, 1967-1975

Public affairs, 1961-1973

Fiscal and logistical management:

Appropriations, 1966-1976

Purchases, 1964-1966

Property management, 1963-1971

Property control legislation, 1967

Cost control of utilities, 1966, 1973

Telephone operations, 1963-1974

Mail service, 1970, 1975

Real property, 1963-1970

Parking, 1963-1964

Employee and inmate commissaries, 1964-1972

Inmate recreational equipment, 1973

Business correspondence, 1965-1975

State vehicles, 1962-1964

Travel legislation, 1965-1966

Personal vehicles, 1973

Auto reports, 1964-1966

Travel vouchers, 1969-1973

Credit card purchases, 1964-1966

Vehicles, 1966-1976

Accident regulations, 1967-1968

Vehicles, 1965-1973

Commodities transportation, 1969

Aircraft operations, 1973

Inmate affairs:

Institutional assignment committees, 1967

Disciplinary procedures, 1962-1975

Good time, 1969-1974

Work furlough, 1969

Parole, 1971-1976

Institutional transfers, 1962-1975

Transfers to treatment center, 1969-1973

Inmate correspondence and mail privileges, 1963-1975

Legal mail requests for services, 1967, 1973

Government correspondence, 1969-1975

Inmate manuscripts and other publication matters, 1973-1974

Legal documents, 1968, 1974

Library services, 1971, 1975

Periodicals, newspapers, books, reference materials, 1963-1973

Visiting regulations, 1973-1975

Recreation and organizations for inmates, 1963-1975

Inmate produced arts and crafts, 1968-1969

Inmate use of personal property, 1970-1973

Inmate house boys and porters, 1961-1966

Inmate marriages, 1973-1974

Personal cleanliness and grooming for male inmates, 1973

Clothing, bedding, and linens, 1964-1972

Medical, dental, and optical services, 1969-1974

Blood donations, 1962-1972

Medical classification, 1973-1974

Inmate injury reports, 1970

Death, homicide, suicide, 1970-1973

Religious beliefs and practices of inmates, ca. 1971-1975

Institutional daily count reports, 1963-1974

Outdoor work, 1964-1971

Release of medical and clinical reports, 1969, 1973

Box

1998/038-62

Visits from attorneys, 1970-1974

Staff recommendations to Pardons and Paroles Board, 1966

State classification information, 1964-1975

Medical reprieves, 1972

Emergency reprieves, 1964

Bench warrants, 1966-1972

Inmate trust fund, 1965-1976

Inmate education, 1972-1975

Inmate drivers license renewal, 1962

Gate money for released felons, 1964

Research:

Requests, 1972-1974

Departmental publications, 1969-1970

Grant projects, 1973-1974

Construction:

Requisition policy, 1972-1973

Personnel, 1965-1966

Safety and sanitation, 1972-1975

Equipment selection and usage, 1972-1974

Building policies, 1969-1974

Directives, 1963-1983

Box

1998/038-62

Index to board policies

Index - W.J. Estelle, Jr.

D.V. McKaskle, 1977-1983

D.V. McKaskle, 1974-1975

Robert De Long, 1979

Robert De Long, 1978

W.J. Estelle, Jr.:

ca. 1983

1983

1981-1982

1981

1980

1979

1978

1977

1976

1975
[2 folders]

1974
[2 folders]

1973

1972

Dr. George Beto, 1970-1971

Dr. George Beto, 1968-1969

Dr. George Beto, 1963-1967

Administrative directives and policy files, 1959-1984

Box

1998/038-63

Outline for directives and policy manual, 1984

Audits, accounting control, 1975-1984

Beto vs. Cruz, 1971

Board minutes--rules changes, ca. 1975-1977

Building tenders, 1963

Budget review, 1980-1983

Consultant contracts, 1983-1984

Business Division charter, ca. 1980

Car rental, 1983-1984

Communications, 1975

Construction, 1979-1984

Court decree, Muslim activities, 1977

Credit card purchases, 1982-1984

Deputy Director of Operations [includes an instructor's manual for a pre-service training program, 1984]

Director's Review Committee, 1980

Drinking water supply system, 1972

Dryer vs. Jalet, 1972

Education policies, 1975-1983

Emolument policy, 1975-1976

Employees, 1970-1983

Employee meal card, 1984

Employee training, 1964-1982

Employee termination, 1971-1983

Employment, dual, 1979

Employer participation, National Guard, 1979

Equipment selection, 1973

Food services, 1964-1983

Good time, 1970-1975

Heat stroke/prevention treatment, ca. 1980

Inmate discharge payment, 1984

Inmate marriages, 1973

Inmate organizations, 1973

Inmate receiving money, 1984

Inmate mail service, 1978-1984

Inmate trust fund, 1965-1982

Internal affairs, 1984

Legal liaison, 1978

Legal affairs, 1984

Legislative influence, prohibited, 1965

Medical compliance plan, 1979-1981

Box

1998/038-64

Motor vehicles, 1965-1980

Nepotism, 1978

Novak vs. Beto, 1971-1972

Notary public guidelines, 1968, 1972

Pest control/termite, 1973

Pucg vs. Locke, 1976

Industry, 1966-1967

Industry, organizational chart, laundries, transportation, I.O.C.A.'s, 1981-1984

Mail/packages, 1963, 1966

Purchasing, all units, 1984

Purchase orders, completing, ca. 1974-1981

Religion, inmate policy, 1959-1972

Service orders, business, ca. 1974-1981

Tipping/gratuities to inmates, 1977

Torts, inmate injuries, 1970

Travel regulation, 1973-1984

Treatment, disciplinary criteria, 1965-1980

Treatment and classification, ca. 1980

Unit funds, 1976, 1982

User codes, business, ca. 1980

Attorney visits, ca. 1980

Legal materials/correspondence, 1971,1973

Vehicle accounting, 1983-1984

Vocational shops, 1973-1983

Weapons, misplaced, 1980

Work furloughs, 1970-1980

Work rosters, 1984

Estelle's interrogatories, 1975-1982

Disciplinary policies, 1968-1982

Personnel, 1962-1983

Unit rules:

Coffield Unit, 1981

Central Unit, ca. 1981

Diagnostic Unit, 1981

Eastham Unit, 1981

Gatesville Unit, 1980

Goree Unit, 1981

Grimes County Unit, 1981

John Sealy Unit, 1981

Hilltop Unit, 1981

Huntsville Unit, 1978

Mountain View Unit, 1978-1981

Ramsey I Unit, 1980-1981

Ramsey II Unit, 1980-1981

Wynne Unit, 1979

Return to the Table of Contents

Rules, regulations, policy and procedure manuals, 1947-1991,
0.47 cubic ft.

This series contains several policy and procedural manuals used by the Department of Criminal Justice and its predecessors, dating 1947-1991. These manuals contain the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures established by the agency's governing boards, for use in the management and operation of the prison system. Some were policy or procedural manuals designed for use by employees; others were publications issued to inmates containing the rules, regulations, and procedures they were required to follow. Most of the manuals cover the operation of the entire prison system. A few cover specific functions, that is, Officers Training Guide (1962), Prerelease Manual (ca. 1971), Rules and Regulations of the Diagnostic Center (1969), TDC Disciplinary Rules and Procedures (1984), and Amended Use of Force Plan (1985). Administrative policy changes, and rules and policies for some of the individual prison units can be found in the series Administrative policy files.

Arrangement

The manuals are arranged into two groups--those designed for employees, and those designed for inmates. They are arranged topically, then chronologically within each group.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Rules, regulations, policy and procedure manuals, 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

Manuals designed for employees

Box

1998/038-65

Rules and Regulations of the Texas Prison System, 1947
[2 copies]

Employees Manual of Rules and Regulations, Department of Corrections, ca. 1964

Employees manual of Rules and Regulations, Department of Corrections, 1973

Employees manual of Rules and Regulations, Department of Corrections, 1976 and 1978

Employee Handbook, Windham School system, 1991

Officers Training Guide, Department of Corrections, 1962

Amended Use of Force Plan, Department of Corrections, 1985

Supplemental Use of Force Plan, Department of Corrections, 1985

Manuals designed for inmates

Box

1998/038-65

Rules and Regulations of Diagnostic Center, Department of Corrections, 1969

Pre-release Manual, Department of Corrections, ca. 1971

Rules and Regulations [for inmates], Department of Corrections, 1973

Rules and Regulations [for inmates], Department of Corrections, 1978

Disciplinary Rules and Procedures, Department of Corrections, 1984

Return to the Table of Contents

In-service training materials, [ca. 1975],
18.47 cubic ft.

This is a series of programs developed by the agency with funds provided by the Texas Criminal Justice Council for use in training employees. Each program set contains a slide show, audio tape, transcript/guide for use with the audio and visual materials. Most sets also contain specialized instruction guides. The materials themselves are undated, but slides containing printed publications show dates of 1973, so the programs were likely created between 1973 and 1975. These are specialized training programs dealing with the corrections industry. Most of the programs consist of multi-volume sets, with each volume discussing different topics within that program. Programs present in this training series are Communications, Contraband, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Legal Aspects of Corrections, Legal Aspects of Emergency Situations, Officer-Inmate Relations, Prison Management, Race Relations, and Treatment. As an example, the outline for a volume in the

"Treatment" program is:

Introduction to treatment
Commutation law
State approved trusty (trustee)
Point incentive program
Inmate T. Jones.

The outline for a volume in the "Legal aspects of Corrections" program is:

Dual court system
The Supreme Court
State and Federal Courts
Relationship of Courts
Role of Courts.

Two of the transcripts and specialized instruction books are missing - programs 4 and 9 from the set "Legal Aspects of Corrections." Two audio cassettes are missing -- program 4 from "Legal Aspects of Corrections" and program 1 from "Treatment." The slides for program 4 from "Legal Aspects of Corrections" are missing.

The slides consist of outlines of the program as well as numerous images of inmates, guards, and objects in the prison. The slides are an integral part of the training sets but also have some informational value about life in prison. Images shown in the slides include guards and inmates talking; guards talking together; guard towers; guards demonstrating how to use billy clubs; guards in training sessions and classes; guards on horseback; guards in the fields; guards at the rifle range; guards searching for contraband, including views of where contraband could be hidden in the cells or in the inmates' clothing, searching inmates, and searching vehicles; and capturing escaped inmates by setting up road blocks, flagging down cars, etc. Some views of inmates include inmates at work, such as working in the fields, the welding shop, or doing data entry; inmates at recreation, such as playing basketball or chess; inmates being taken to farms for work; inmates in classes and at church services; and inmates in the cafeteria. Also present are exterior views of prison buildings, interior shots of cells - with and without inmates -- interior views of the prison hospital, interior views of the machine shops - with and without inmates -- views of commissary items, and views of various types of contraband and drugs. One of the training sets - "Counseling," has 16mm films instead of slides accompanying the manuals. The slides for program 4 from "Legal Aspects of Corrections" are missing.

Arrangement

The records in this series are housed by type or format, with the transcripts and guides listed first, followed by the audio cassettes, then the slides. The slides have been removed from the slide carousels but maintained in the order received. Within each format, the items are arranged alphabetically by program name.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), In-service training materials, 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

Researchers wishing to listen to the audiotapes or view the slides and films must contact the Archives Preservation Officer to obtain the necessary audiovisual equipment.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Transcripts and specialized instruction guides

Box

1998/038-66

Communications:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Transcript/guide, program 3

Specialized instruction guide, program 3

Transcript/guide, program 4

Specialized instruction guide, program 4

Contraband:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Transcript/guide, program 3

Specialized instruction guide, program 3

Transcript/guide, program 4

Specialized instruction guide, program 4

Transcript/guide, program 5

Specialized instruction guide, program 5

Counseling:

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 1

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 2

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 3

Box

1998/038-67

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 4

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 5

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 6

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 7

Specialized instruction books 1 and 2, program 8

Criminal Justice:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Legal Aspects of Corrections: [missing programs 4 and 9]

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Transcript/guide, program 3

Specialized instruction guide, program 3

Transcript/guide, program 5

Specialized instruction guide, program 5

Transcript/guide, program 6

Specialized instruction guide, program 6

Box

1998/038-68

Transcript/guide, program 7

Specialized instruction guide, program 7

Transcript/guide, program 8

Specialized instruction guide, program 8

Transcript/guide, program 10

Specialized instruction guide, program 10

Legal Aspects of Emergency Situations:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Officer-Inmate Relations:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Transcript/guide, program 3

Specialized instruction guide, program 3

Transcript/guide, program 4

Specialized instruction guide, program 4

Box

1998/038-69

Transcript/guide, program 5

Specialized instruction guide, program 5

Transcript/guide, program 6

Specialized instruction guide, program 6

Transcript/guide, program 7

Specialized instruction guide, program 7

Transcript/guide, program 8

Specialized instruction guide, program 8

Prison Management:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Race Relations:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Box

1998/038-70

Transcript/guide, program 3

Specialized instruction guide, program 3

Transcript/guide, program 4

Specialized instruction guide, program 4

Treatment:

Transcript/guide, program 1

Specialized instruction guide, program 1

Transcript/guide, program 2

Specialized instruction guide, program 2

Transcript/guide, program 3

Specialized instruction guide, program 3

Transcript/guide, program 4

Specialized instruction guide, program 4

Audio cassettes

Box

1998/038-71

Communications, programs 1-4
[4 cassettes]

Contraband, programs 1-5
[5 cassettes]

Criminal Justice, programs 1-2
[2 cassettes]

Legal Aspects of Corrections, programs 1-3, 5-10 [missing program 4]
[9 cassettes]

Legal Aspects of Emergency Situations, programs 1-2
[2 cassettes]

Officer-Inmate Relations, programs 1-8
[8 cassettes]

Prison Management, programs 1-2
[2 cassettes]

Race Relations, programs 1-4
[4 cassettes]

Treatment, programs 2-4 [missing program 1]
[3 cassettes]

Slides

Box

1998/038-72 through 1998/038-75

Communications, programs 1-4

Box

1998/038-76 through 1998/038-80

Contraband, programs 1-5

Films

Box

1998/038-81 and 1998/038-82

Counseling, films 1-4 and 5-8

Slides

Box

1998/038-83 and 1998/038-84

Criminal Justice, programs 1 and 2

Box

1998/038-85 through 1998/038-93

Legal Aspects of Corrections, programs 1-3, 5-10 [missing program 4]

Box

1998/038-94 and 1998/038-95

Legal Aspects of Emergency Situations, programs 1 and 2

Box

1998/038-96 through 1998/038-103

Officer-Inmate Relations, programs, 1-8

Box

1998/038-104 and 1998/038-105

Prison Management, programs 1 and 2

Box

1998/038-106 through 109

Race Relations, programs 1-4

Box

1998/038-110 through 113

Treatment, programs 1-4

Return to the Table of Contents

Ruiz litigation administrative files and court records, 1966, 1978-1987, undated (bulk 1981-1983),
2.12 cubic ft.

This series contains court documents and court-ordered reports of the monitors and special master, correspondence, and internal memoranda concerning the Ruiz litigation against the Texas Department of Corrections. Dates covered are 1966, 1978-1987, undated (bulk 1981-1983). Topics covered in these records include administrative segregation, use of force, death row conditions, and the mentally-retarded offender program. The bulk of the materials are reports of the monitors and of the special master. Court documents present are stipulations, reports, orders, and a brief.

The correspondence and memoranda are the administrative files of Richard Hartley, an administrative assistant to director W.J. Estelle, Jr. The files include internal memoranda to department administrators and staff concerning tasks to be completed, changes the department needed to make to fulfill compliance, and new procedures and regulations; correspondence with the Texas Attorney General's office and outside legal counsel concerning various Ruiz-related issues; and working copies of the court opinions and decrees. Some of the materials contain notes in the margins regarding changes, but it is not always clear who made the notes or whether all the changes discussed were actually implemented.

The Archives recently received the Ruiz litigation case files from the TDCJ Office of the General Counsel. The case files are currently unprocessed and are restricted. They are not described in this finding aid.

Additional records can be found in other TDCJ finding aids. In the TDCJ overall finding aid, correspondence with the special master from 1981 to 1983 can be found in the series Administrative correspondence, Assistant Director for Special Services. Additionally, discussions of the Ruiz situation and changes resulting from that litigation can be found in the minutes of the Board of Corrections, later the Board of Criminal Justice, see the series (a separate TDCJ finding aid) Minutes and meeting files. A photograph of David Ruiz can be found in the series (a separate TDCJ finding aid) Photographs, in the subseries Slides and miscellaneous photographic media.

The Texas Attorney General's office was involved with these proceedings and has records from the case on file in its offices. Additionally, some further records on the Ruiz litigation can also be found in the Records of Governor Mark White, Governor's Office files, 1982-1986, Archives and Information Services Division of the Library and Archives Commission.

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

Ruiz litigation history

In 1978 a class action suit was filed by inmate David Ruiz and others on behalf of inmates confined in the various institutions operated by the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC) against the director of the department, W. J. Estelle, Jr., and members of the department. (Ruiz, et al, Plaintiffs, United States of America, Plaintiff-Intervenor, vs. W.J. Estelle, Jr., et al, Defendants.) The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas found the conditions of confinement violated the U.S. Constitution and appointed a special master and monitors to supervise the implementation of and compliance with the decree mandating changes. Following appeals by the TDC, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed part of the decision and affirmed part of the decision. Basic changes resulting from this suit the TDC had to implement included:

filing reports on the number of inmates and space per inmate, requiring the TDC to reduce inmate population, eventually resulting in only two inmates per cell;
requiring the TDC to preserve verbatim records of all disciplinary hearings;
requiring the TDC to give inmates in administrative segregation the opportunity for regular exercise;
requiring that inmates be allowed access to courts, counsel and public officials;
developing and implementing a system for classification of inmates;
developing concise standards and procedures governing the use of physical force against TDC prisoners;
developing programs, standards, and procedures concerning inmate health care;
developing programs, standards, and procedures concerning special needs prisoners; and
developing standards and procedures for the use of inmates in support service capacities.

Several suits were filed by Ruiz et al, each naming the director of the prison as the first defendant, thus the style changes from Ruiz vs. Estelle (the director at the time of the original suit) to Ruiz vs. McKaskle, etc., changing when the director of the prison system changed.

Organization

The records are arranged in two series:

Administrative files, 1966, 1978-1983, undated (bulk 1981-1983), 0.71 cubic ft.

Court documents and reports, 1982-1987, 1.41 cubic ft.

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. This exception applies 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.

Return to the Table of Contents

Miscellaneous legal documents, 1906, 1913-1955 (bulk 1915-1935),
0.47 cubic ft.

This series contains various legal documents and related correspondence, including orders, affidavits, contracts, warranty deeds, deeds of trust, releases of liens, promissory notes, judgements, releases of judgements, easement deeds, resolutions, and a map of the Shaw State Farm. Dates covered are 1906, 1913-1955 (bulk 1915-1935). Topics include purchasing or leasing land for prison farms, primarily the Shaw farm, also the Eastham farm, Harlem farm and others; leasing land for mineral exploration; securing easements; securing judgements; and contracting for gas and electric services. Correspondents include the Board of Prison Commissioners, the Texas Prison Board, the general manager, the cashier, landowners, and oil companies.

Deeds, contracts, and other early legal documents are also present in a collection of records in the Archives and Information Services Division, Records Relating to the Penitentiary, in the series, Legal documents.

Arrangement

These records are unarranged.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Miscellaneous legal documents, 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

1998/038-119

Miscellaneous legal documents, Shaw Farm, 1913-1937

Miscellaneous legal documents, 1913-1939

Miscellaneous legal documents, 1906, 1913-1941, 1955

Return to the Table of Contents

Administrative reports, 1972-1976, 1978,
3.29 cubic ft. (24 volumes)

These records are internal administrative reports prepared by the Research and Development Division of the Department of Corrections, dating from 1972 to 1976, 1978. Research and development services were designed to help both staff and inmates in solving problems associated with incarceration. Through these services new programs were proposed to help staff adapt to a changing inmate population as the division evaluated existing programs and recommended changes. Most of the reports are collected under two titles with multiple volumes; each volume within the titles contains a number of individual reports. The title with the most volumes is Research and Development Publications, dating 1972-1976. Topics covered in these reports include prison reform, parole considerations, good time laws, work furlough programs, costs of corrections programs, escape prediction, inmate education levels, a synopsis of death row inmates, behavioral and medical analysis of inmates, inmate identification systems, evaluations of weapons detection systems, community-based corrections services, pre-release community services programs, subsequent violations by inmates, extra departmental research, and an overview of the Department of Corrections.

The other title, Research, Planning, and Development Technical Assistance Reports, consists of individual reports published in six volumes, dating 1972, 1974-1976, 1978. These reports are analyses or evaluations of city or county jails, prepared at the request of city/county officials who sought confirmation of compliance with jail standards or advice on what was required for compliance with the standards. The requests were often made by the local officials to the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office, who in turn forwarded the requests to the Department of Corrections. City jails analyzed include Flatonia, Gilmer, and Caldwell; county jails analyzed include Orange County, McLennan County, Hardin County, and Grayson County.

Some of the more widely distributed reports from the Research and Development Division and its successors can be found in the Texas Documents Collection of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Many of the reports in this series were received from the Department of Criminal Justice with extensive mold and mildew damage. The damaged reports were replaced with photocopies and discarded.

The number of volumes in each set often differs from the number of volumes listed on the title page of the sets. For example, the Research and Development Publications for the year 1972 lists reports in volumes 1 and 2 on the title page. In reality, these reports listed are bound in four volumes, not two. The folder inventory lists the reports according to the physical volumes where the reports are housed.

Arrangement

These records are arranged into two sets - Research and Development Publications, and Research, Planning, and Development Technical Assistance Reports; and by volume number within each set.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Administrative 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

None.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Research and Development Publications

Volume 1, 1972

Box

1998/038-120

Research Reports (RR)

RR 8 - A Synopsis of Offenders Receiving the Death Sentence in Texas

RR 9 - A Comparative Study of First Offenders & Recidivists

RR 10 - A Statistical Study of the Habitual Offender

RR 11 - A Statistical Description of Recidivists

Volume 2, 1972

Box

1998/038-120

Research Reports (RR), continued

RR 12 - Factors Related to Parole Consideration

RR 13 - Proposal for Modification of Diagnostic Processing and Medical Facilities for Female Offenders

RR 14 - Form Survey of Inmate Records

Volume 3, 1972

Box

1998/038-120

Research Reports (RR), continued

RR 15 - Significant Factors to Recidivists

RR 16 - The Drug Offender: The Pusher and the User

Volume 4, 1972

Box

1998/038-120

Unclassified Reports

1972 Annual Statistical Report

User's Manual for Interpretation of Frequency Distribution

Progress Report II

Volume 1, 1973

Box

1998/038-121

Research Reports (RR)

RR 17 - A National Survey of Good Time Laws and Administrative Procedures

RR 18 - A Proposal for a Drug Treatment Program in the Texas Department of Corrections

Special Studies (SS)

SS 1 - Work Furlough Program

Volume 2, 1973

Box

1998/038-121

Technical Notes (TN)

TN - Proposal for an Inmate Identification System

Unclassified Reports

Reports and Copy Preparation Guidelines

Progress Report III

1973 Annual Statistical Report

Volume 3, 1973

Box

1998/038-121

Unclassified Reports, continued

An Overview of the Texas Department of Corrections

[The overview is numbered independently from other reports in the 1973 volumes.]

Volume 1, 1974

Box

1998/038-122

Research Reports (RR)

RR 19 - An Analysis of the Alcohol Program in the Texas Department of Corrections

RR 20 - The Medical Student Externship Program in the Texas Department of Corrections

RR 23 - Profile of the Female Offender

Special Studies (SS)

SS 2 - Correctional Employee Awareness of the Level of Importance Inmates Place on Correctional Services

Volume 2, 1974

[unittitle added: see error report]

Box

1998/038-122

SS 4 - Escape Prediction

SS 5 - A National Survey of Legal Mail and Visit Priviledges of Inmates Confined in Punitive Segregation

SS 6 - Texas Youth Council at Gatesville

SS 7 - Female Incarcerate Job Preference

Volume 3, 1974

Box

1998/038-123

Technical Notes (TN)

TN 3 - Proposal for an Optical Scanner

TN 4 - Salvageable Materials Survey

TN 5 - Relationship of Inmate Educational Levels to Texas Citizen Educational Levels

TN 6 - Extra-Departmental Research

TN 7 - Health Statistics

Unclassified Reports

TDC: A Brief History

1974 Annual Statistical Report

Progress Report IV

Medical Research and Experimentation and Pharmaceutical Testing

Volume 1, 1975

Box

1998/038-123

Special Studies (SS)

SS 8 - Summary of Medical Services in State Departments of Corrections

SS 9 - Medical Reclassification Study

SS 10 - Impact of the New Penal Code

SS 12 - Summary of Medical Activities

SS 13 - Medical Research, Experimentation, and Pharmaceutical Testing

Technical Notes (TN)

TN 8 - Community Based Corrections Series - Educational Release Program (ERP)

TN 9 - Community Based Corrections Series - Diagnostic Evaluation Program (DEP)

TN 10 - Community Based Corrections Series - Social, Personal, and Community Experience (SPACE) Program

TN 11 - Community Based Corrections Series - Mutual Agreement Programming (MAP)

TN 12 - Community Based Corrections Series - Probation Offenders Rehabilitation and Training (PORT)

TN 13 - Community Based Corrections Series - Day Care Drug-Free (DCDF) Program

TN 14 - Community Based Corrections Series - Community Correction and Rehabilitation Center (CCRC)

Volume 2, 1975

Box

1998/038-123

Technical Notes (TN), continued

TN 15 - Community Based Corrections Series - Inmate Family Assurance (IFA)

TN 16 - Community Based Corrections Series - Young Adult Offender (YAO) Program

TN 17 - Community Based Corrections Series - Halfway In (IH) Program

TN 18 - Community Based Corrections Series - Furlough Program

TN 19 - Community Based Corrections Series - Community-Based Rehabilitative Business Enterprise (CBRBE)

TN 20 - Community Based Corrections Series - Incentive Credit System (ICS)

TN 21 - Profile: First Female Offender

TN 22 - Extra-Departmental Research 1974

TN 23 - An Evaluation of Ballistic Body Armor

TN 24 - Community Based Corrections Series - Work Release for Drug Dependent Individuals (WRDDI)

TN 25 - Population Stability Study

TN 26 - Community Based Corrections Series - Shock Parole

TN 27 - TDC Inmate Characteristics Compared to Inmates in Other State Departments of Corrections

TN 28 - Psychiatric Treatment Center Patient Flow for a 6-Month Period

TN 29 - Comparison of New Received Inmates and New Received Inmates with Pending Appeals

TN 30 - The Relationship of Unemployment to the Uniform Crime Report Index between 1973 and 1974 in Seven Texas Metropolitan Areas

TN 31 - Proposal for a Personnel Management Study

Volume 3, 1975

Box

1998/038-123

Special Studies (SS)

SS 14 - Project Management: A Corrections Model

SS 15 - Effects of Certainty and Severity of Punishment

SS 16 - State Corrections: Inmates, Expenditures, and Employees

SS 17 - Demographic Study of Newly Received Male Felons November 1974-February 1975

Monograph (M)

M1 - Criminality and Corrections

Technical Notes (TN)

TN 32 - Inmate Population Projections 1976-1980

Volume 4, 1975

Box

1998/038-123

Technical Notes (TN), continued

TN 33 - Behavorial and Medical Analysis System

TN 34 - An Evaluation: Walk-Through Weapons Detection Systems

TN 35 - An Evaluation of Class III Ballistic Body Armor

TN 36 - Uniform Crime Reports Cities in Texas Over 100,000 January-June 1975

TN 37 - An Evaluation: Hand Held Weapons Detection Unit

TN 38 - Proposal for a Computerized Support System for the College Program

TN 39 - Adult Felony Offenders in Correctional Systems in Texas

TN 40 - Projection of Cost for Vacation and Sick-Leave Pay at Termination

TN 41 - Texas Uniform Crime Report: 1970-1974

TN 42 - Deaths and Escapes at Federal and State Institutions

Unclassified Reports

Progress Report V

Volume 1, 1976

Box

1998/038-123

Special Studies (SS)

SS 18 - Preliminary Program Study, Coffield Unit Meat Processing and Educational Facility

SS 19 - An Evaluation of the Texas Department of Corrections' Junior College Program

SS 20 - Recidivism: A Follow-up Study of 387 Inmates Released from the Texas Department of Corrections in 1969

SS 21 - Special Report for the Governor's Budget Examiners

SS 22 - State Corrections: Inmates Expenditures and Employees 1973-1975

SS 23 - Crime in Texas, 1970-1975

Volume 2, 1976

Box

1998/038-123

Special Studies (SS), continued

Box

1998/038-124

SS 24 - State Corrections: Inmates, Expenditures, and Employees and Per Capita Cost, 1973-1975

SS 25 - Cost Comparison: Halfway House vs. Correctional Institution

SS 26 - A Follow-Up Study of 264 Ex-Offenders Who Participated in the New Directions Program

Technical Notes (TN)

TN 43 - Texas Department of Corrections 1975 Cost per Inmate Report

TN 44 [never published]

TN 45 - A Study to Determine the Number of Inmates in the TDC Who Were Eligible for Unemployment Insurance Payments Prior to Incarceration

TN 46 - A Study to Determine the Financial Status of Inmates Released for the TDC

TN 47 - Extra-Departmental Research 1975

TN 48 - A Proposal for a TDC Automated Ammunition Reloading System

TC 49 - Uniform Crime Reports, Cities in Texas Over 100,000 January-March 1976

TN 50 - Uniform Crime Reports, Cities in Texas Over 100,000, (January-June 1976)

Research Reports (RR)

RR 26 - An Evaluation of the Pre-Release Community Services Program

RR 27 - The Prediction of Subsequent Violent Offenses by the Inmates of the TDC

Unclassified Reports

1975 Annual Statistical Report

Technical Assistance Reports

Volume 1, 1974-1976

[missing page 9 in first report]

Box

1998/038-124

Alamo, City of

Angelina County

Bandera and Kerr Counties

Bosque, Comanche, Coryell, Hamilton and Mills Counties

Brazos County

Caldwell County

Carthage, City of

Title 81 - Article 5115

Volume 2, 1974-1976

Box

1998/038-124

Chambers County

Coleman County

Collin County

Comanche County

Diboll, City of

Dimmit County

Duval County

Ector County

Edwards County

Falls County

Fannin County

Title 81 - Article 5115

Volume 3, 1975-1976

Box

1998/038-125

Flatonia, City of

Gilmer, City of

Grayson County

Grayson County Jail Facilities for the Mentally Deranged

Grimes County

Hardin County

Harrison County

Hunt County

Jasper County

Jefferson County, Cost Analysis

Johnson County

Title 81 - Article 5115

Volume 4, 1975-1976, 1978

Box

1998/038-125

La Salle County

Limestone County

Live Oak County Jail Facilities for the Mentally Deranged

Luling, City of

Martin County

McLennan County

Montague County

Montgomery County

Moore County

Title 81 - Article 5115

Volume 5, 1972, 1975-1976

[missing pages 24-27 from last report]

Box

1998/038-125

Nacogdoches County

Newton County

Odessa, City of

Orange County

Polk County

Rockdale, City of

Sabine County

San Jacinto County

Title 81 - Article 5115

Volume 6, 1974-1976

[missing page 12 from Williamson county report]

Box

1998/038-126

Travis County

Trinity County

Tyler County

Val Verde County

Walker County

Weimer County

Williamson County

Wood County

Zavala County

Title 81 - Article 5115

Miscellaneous reports

Box

1998/038-126

A Demographic Study of Newly Received Male Felons, November 1974-February 1975, Research and Development Division, 1975

Overview of the Texas Department of Corrections. A Report Submitted to the Joint Committee on Penal Reform. Research and Development Division, 1973

Return to the Table of Contents

Miscellaneous publications and reports, 1940, 1947, 1975, 1977, 1989, 1994,
0.24 cubic ft.

This series contains several publications and reports, most produced by the Department of Criminal Justice or its predecessors, others produced by outside but related entities, such as the Texas Criminal Justice Task Force, dating 1940, 1947, 1975, 1977, 1989, and 1994. Topics of the publications are welfare activities of the Texas Prison Board from 1927 to 1940, improvements needed in the prison system (1947), prison reform (1975), history of the Department of Corrections (1977), activities of the Texas Criminal Justice Task Force (1989), and recidivism (1994).

Arrangement

These records are arranged chronologically by publication date.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Miscellaneous publications and 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

None.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Box

1998/038-127

History of Welfare Activities of the Texas Prison Board, 1927-1940, compiled by Charlotte A. Teagle, member, Texas Prison Board [1940]

A Program for the Improvement of the Texas Prison System, Texas Prison Board, 1947

Excerpts from The Final Report on Prison Reform, 63rd Legislature, prepared by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency in Texas, 1975

Texas Department of Correction: 30 Years of Progress, Department of Corrections, 1977

Texas Criminal Justice Task Force, 1989

Task Force on Recidivism, Component Reports to the Steering Committee, 1994

Return to the Table of Contents

Employee ledgers, 1893-1939,
2.76 cubic ft.

This series consists of several ledgers or volumes providing summary employment data for guards, sergeants, physicians, and a few other employees working in the Texas prison system during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Dates covered in this series are 1893-1939. There are three sets of records. The most numerous are the ledgers titled "Guard records," covering the years 1893-1937. There are seven large guard ledgers containing the guard's name, date assigned, prison unit assigned, and date discharged, resigned, suspended, or reinstated. Reasons for discharge and suspension are sometimes noted. Also noted is by whose order the guard was reinstated. A guard discharged or reassigned when a force (a work unit of convicts) was discontinued, is noted as well. Additionally, the first guard ledger has an index in the front of the volume. And, at the back of ledger 1998/038-131, there are several letters from the Prison Board concerning the suspension or release of several guards, dating 1916. The entries in the ledgers are arranged by the date the guard was first assigned.

The vast majority of entries in the guard ledgers are for guards. However, some additional employees are listed in the last two guard ledgers, including wardens, assistant wardens, foremen, managers, stewards, sergeants, physicians, druggists, machinists, and secretaries. It is not known if all other employees of the prison system are included in the ledgers, nor if all the guards employed are included.

There is one ledger labeled "Physicians and Sergeants." The first section contains data on physicians, giving name, where from, prison unit assigned, date appointed, date resigned, and monthly salary. It is noted if the force they were with was discontinued. Dates covered for the physicians are 1900-1911. The second section contains data on sergeants, giving name, prison unit assigned, amount of bond paid, and dates appointed, transferred, and discharged. Reasons for discharge are sometimes noted and if a force was discontinued that also was noted. Dates covered for the sergeants are 1898-1911, 1915. Within each section the names are arranged chronologically by date of appointment.

The third set of records consists of two small volumes, one titled "Guards discharged," the other titled "Record of discharged employees". These volumes serve as indexes to the guard ledgers, giving the guard's (or other employee's) name, date hired, and the volume and page in the ledger where employment information can be found for the guard/employee. Some of the entries list the prison unit assigned, and some give a date of reinstatement, usually including a reason for the reinstatement. These volumes date 1893-1939 and 1893-1935 respectively.

Earlier employment information for guards and other prison employees can be found in a collection of records in the Archives and Information Services Division, Records Relating to the Penitentiary, in the series Pay records, and the series Abstracts and supporting documents. According to a conversation (March 2, 2001) with the Assistant Commissioner of Records and Communication, later employment records, from 1940 to present, are at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Arrangement

The entries in the guard records are arranged by the date the guard was first assigned. Entries in the physicians and sergeants ledger are arranged chronologically by date of appointment within each section. Entries in the index are alphabetical.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Employee ledgers, 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

Guard ledgers

Volume

1998/038-128

1893-1900

Volume

1998/038-129

1900-1904

Volume

1998/038-130

1904-1910

Volume

1998/038-131

1900, 1902, 1908-1919 (bulk 1910-1919)

Volume

1998/038-132

1919-1924

Volume

1998/038-133

1924-1931 (bulk 1924-1929)

Volume

1998/038-134

1929-1937

Physicians and sergeants

Volume

1998/038-135

Physicians and sergeants, 1900-1911 (physicians), 1898-1911, 1915 (sergeants)

Indexes

Volume

1998/038-136

Guards discharged, 1893-1939

Volume

1998/038-137

Record of discharged employees, 1893-1935

Return to the Table of Contents

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 rolls of microfilm)

This series consists of ledgers maintained by the Texas Department of Corrections and its predecessors to record personal data and commitment information about convicts entering the Texas prison system. The Archives and Information Services Division holds 29 ledgers covering the years 1849-1954. The indexes to the ledgers show the first convict was assigned number 1 in 1849, which began the "A" series, with numbers going from 1 to 10,000. (Numbers are listed through 10, 012, but the last twelve numbers were re-issued as 1-12 in the next numbering system.) In 1882, a new numbering system began, the "B" series, starting again at number 1, continuing through the registers held. A separate ledger with its own numbering system records data on convicts sent to Rusk Penitentiary beginning in 1883 and continuing though 1898. This Rusk Penitentiary ledger also includes data on convicts in the prison system beginning in 1870. These pre-1883 entries are presumably for convicts in the prison system at Huntsville or an outside camp who were transferred to Rusk when that facility opened. Many of the convicts sent to Rusk were later transferred to Huntsville or an outside prison unit (farms, railroad camps, etc.). Those convicts serving time in Huntsville or an outside camp in addition to Rusk have an assigned number from the regular series of convict record ledgers, with a record appearing in those ledgers as well as the Rusk ledger.

The earlier ledgers, those dating from 1849 to 1891, contain the following categories of information: convict's number, name (including aliases), age, height, weight, complexion, eyes, hair, marks on person, marital relations, use of tobacco, habits, education, occupation, nativity (birthplace), time of conviction, offense, terms of imprisonment, county, residence, money, when received, expiration, and remarks. Most of the terms used in some of the categories, such as occupation or offense (e.g., bakers or laborers as types of occupations), are listed in the Categories of information found in the convict record ledgers and statistical record ledgers section of this finding aid. Additionally, in 1863 the ledgers contain entries for prisoners of war kept at Huntsville. There are six prisoners noted, and entries list where they were captured, their nativity, the offense (given as "Prisoner of War"), the date received, and the year discharged. In 1864, there are about two dozen inmates listed as "Military offenders". Their entries contain the same descriptive information as regular prisoners, the crime is "Military offender," the term of imprisonment is "during war." They were all discharged on February 8, 1865. Also, for the years 1874-1881, the ledgers contain entries for United States prisoners incarcerated in Huntsville. These prisoners were assigned regular prison convict numbers and listed in the numerical sequence with a note "United States prisoner - see commitment papers and U.S. prisoners special records." Towards the back of the ledgers, the personal and commitment data is listed for them, in numerical order.

In late 1891, more categories were added to the convict record ledgers. The ledgers dating from late 1891 to 1954 contain the following categories of information: convict's number, name (including aliases), age, height, weight, complexion, eyes, hair, marks on person, marital relations, use of tobacco, habits, education, able to read, able to write, number of years at school, date of birth, birthplace, birthplace of father, birthplace of mother, occupation, time of conviction, offense, terms of imprisonment, county, residence, plea, when received, expiration of sentence, exservice (military), and remarks.

Ledgers from the middle of the twentieth century (1950s-1960s) still at the Department of Criminal Justice contain the same categories of data as those from 1891 to 1954. Information in ledgers after the 1960s may have changed. The dates of the ledgers still in Huntsville are unknown. Researchers need to contact the Institutional Division of the Department of Criminal Justice for further information.

Entries in the ledgers are arranged numerically by convict number. Access to the convict numbers is through a set of alphabetical indexes that provide the convict's name, county, and assigned convict number. The second and third indexes overlap in date coverage with the first index and with each other. When researching convicts prior to 1882, it is necessary check all three indexes for the name sought. The first index dates from 1849 to 1898 and includes convicts sent to Rusk Penitentiary, listing their Rusk convict number and their Huntsville convict number (if they served time in both facilities). The three indexes contain entries from 1849 to 1970.

Information in the convict record ledgers is selected data from the series Inmate records, kept in the Institutional Division of the Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville. A description of this series can be found in the appraisal report of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, on file in the Archives and Information Services Division. According to personnel in Huntsville, the convict record ledgers are the best source for finding descriptions of individual convicts and information regarding their commitment. Also, this data is not restricted, whereas access to the Inmate records in Huntsville is restricted due to confidential materials found within those files.

The convict record ledgers supplement and complement information found in another series, Conduct registers, that contain information on the prison units convicts were assigned to, punishments inflicted, and discharge or pardon information. Some of the information in the convict ledgers can also be found in another series, Statistical record ledgers, that provides a statistical compilation of data (nativity, occupation, crime, term of imprisonment, race, education, etc.) on all the convicts received each month in the prison system. Another series, Miscellaneous convict ledgers, contains additional admittance and discharge information about individual convicts.

The inventory lists the prison numbers and years covered in the ledger. The first ledger is for Rusk with a numbering system different from the rest of the prison population. The next three ledgers have entries for the first numbering system used, from 1 to 10,000 (numbers are listed through 10, 012, but the last twelve numbers were re-issued as 1-12 in the next numbering system); and the next numbering system, 1-131, 135 (last number in these ledgers).

Arrangement

The ledgers are arranged as follows: Indexes, Rusk ledger, Huntsville/main prison ledgers. Entries in the indexes are alphabetical by the first letter of the last name and the first vowel used, then in chronological order by date received. The inventory lists the years covered by the indexes. Entries in the convict record ledgers are arranged numerically by the prison number assigned, which is also chronological as the inmates were received.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Convict record ledgers, 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

The ledgers and the indexes have been microfilmed, the film is the use copy. The original convict record ledgers are very large and many are in fragile condition. The earlier ones are deteriorating--the covers have come off of some and several have loose pages. Because of their size and deteriorating condition, none of the ledgers can be photocopied. Forms for transcribing the information in the ledgers are available for research use. The indexes are also large ledgers and most are in very fragile condition, with covers falling off and loose and torn pages. They also cannot be photocopied.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Indexes, 1849-1970

[The indexes have been microfilmed, the film is the use copy. A copy of the microfilm is available in the Genealogy and Reference/Documents sections of the State Library and is available through interlibrary loan. There are five reels of indexes, their catalog numbers are 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1 INDEX thru 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5 INDEX.]

Volume

1998/038-138

1849-1898

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-139

1853-1915

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-140

1851-1915

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-141

1915-1927

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-142

1916-1932

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 3 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-143

1932-1938

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 3 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-144

1939-1947

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 4 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-145

1948-1955

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 4 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-146

A-J, 1956-1970

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-147

K-Z, 1956-1970

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5 INDEX]

Convict record ledgers, 1849-1954

[The ledgers have been microfilmed, the film is the use copy. A copy of the microfilm is available in the Genealogy and Reference/Documents sections of the State Library and is available through interlibrary loan. There are fifteen microfilm reels, their catalog numbers are 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1 thru 976.405/T312crl/Reel 15.]

Volume

1998/038-148

Rusk, 1 - 4622, 1870-1891

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1]

Volume

1998/038-149

1-3000 ["A" series], 1849-1873

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1]

Volume

1998/038-150

3001-7550 ["A" series], 1873-1879

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2]

Volume

1998/038-151

Convict record ledger:

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2]

7551-10,012 ["A" series], 1879-1882

1-2507 ["B" series], 1882-1884

Volume

1998/038-152

2508-7240, 1884-1891

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 3]

Volume

1998/038-153

7241-12177, 1891-1895

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 3]

Volume

1998/038-154

12178-17158, 1895-1898

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 4]

Volume

1998/038-155

17159-22080, 1898-1902

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 4]

Volume

1998/038-156

22081-27060, 1902-1906

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5]

Volume

1998/038-157

27061-32060, 1906-1911

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5]

Volume

1998/038-158

32061-37000, 1911-1915

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 6]

Volume

1998/038-159

37001-42020, 1915-1918

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 6]

Volume

1998/038-160

42021-47020, 1918-1921

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 7]

Volume

1998/038-161

47021-52020, 1921-1925

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 7]

Volume

1998/038-162

52021-57100, 1925-1927

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 8]

Volume

1998/038-163

57101-62200, 1927-1929

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 8]

Volume

1998/038-164

62201-67400, 1929-1931

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 9]

Volume

1998/038-165

67401-73300, 1931-1933

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 9]

Volume

1998/038-166

73301-79300, 1933-1935

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 10]

Volume

1998/038-167

79301-84740, 1935-1937

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 10]

Volume

1998/038-168

84741-90340, 1937-1939

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 11]

Volume

1998/038-169

90341-93340, 1939

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 11]

Volume

1998/038-170

93341-99300, 1939-1942

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 12]

Volume

1998/038-171

99301-105140, 1942-1945

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 12]

Volume

1998/038-172

105141-111655, 1945-1948

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 13]

Volume

1998/038-173

111656-117915, 1948-1950

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 13]

Volume

1998/038-174

117916-124255, 1950-1952

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 14]

Volume

1998/038-175

124256-131135, 1952-1954

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 15]

Miscellaneous convict record ledger

Contains a few scattered entries. Its specific purpose is unknown.

Volume

1998/038-176

1196-3363, 1868-1874

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 15]

Return to the Table of Contents

Conduct registers, 1855-[ca. 1976] (bulk 1877-1945),
33.4 cubic ft. (60 ledgers)

The conduct registers are ledgers maintained by the Texas Department of Corrections and its predecessors to record information about convicts in the Texas prison system. There are 60 ledgers present in this series, dating 1855-ca. 1976 (bulk 1877-1945), consisting of two separate sets.

The first set contains 57 ledgers, covering inmates entering the system during the years 1855-1945 (bulk 1877-1945). Additional dates added to the ledgers go up to 1970, primarily listing subsequent prison assignments, and dates of release or discharge. The indexes to the registers show that the first convict was assigned number 1 in 1849, which began the "A" series, with numbers going from 1 to 10,000 (numbers are listed through 10,016, but the last sixteen numbers were re-issued as 1-16 in the next numbering system). However, this particular group of registers began in 1855 with the first convict number 207, so entries for the earliest convicts are not present. In 1882, a new numbering system began, the "B" series, starting again at number 1, continuing throughout the registers held. There was also a separate numbering system for the convicts sent to Rusk Penitentiary, beginning in 1883, continuing though 1898. There are three separate ledgers containing data for the Rusk inmates with their own numbering system. In addition, the Rusk ledgers contain data on convicts in the prison system beginning in 1870. These pre-Rusk, i.e., pre-1883, entries are presumably for convicts in the prison system at Huntsville or an outside camp who were transferred to Rusk when that facility opened. Many of the convicts sent to Rusk were later transferred to Huntsville or an outside prison unit (farms, railroad camps, etc.). Those convicts serving time in Huntsville or an outside camp in addition to Rusk have an assigned number from the regular series of convict record ledgers, with a record appearing in those ledgers as well as the Rusk ledgers.

Information found in the registers includes the convict's number, name (including aliases), county of conviction, prison unit assigned to (Huntsville, prison farm, railroad camp, etc.), any notable punishments, date of discharge, pardon information (date, proclamation number, governor issuing pardon), and other convict numbers the inmate served under (for repeat offenders). These registers are the best source for determining in which prison units individual convicts served their time and when the convicts left the prison system. Additionally, some registers will have a list in the front or rear of the volume, listing inmates in that book who escaped, who were paroled, etc. In the early registers, entries are not present for all convicts. The conduct registers complement information found in another series, Convict record ledgers, that provides personal data and commitment information about the convicts.

Register entries are arranged numerically by convict number. Access to the convict numbers is through a set of alphabetical indexes that provide the convict's name, county, and assigned convict number. The second and third indexes overlap in date coverage with the first index and with each other. When researching convicts prior to 1882, it is necessary to check all three indexes for the name sought. The first index dates from 1849 to 1898 and includes convicts sent to Rusk Penitentiary, listing their Rusk convict number and their Huntsville convict number (if they served time in both facilities). The three indexes contain entries from 1849 to 1970.

A second set of three ledgers is also present. The format is much the same, giving the convict's number, name, sentence (includes notes regarding conduct), prison unit assigned to and date sent to the unit, and amount of good time credit amassed. The convict numbers covered are 23199-73075, but entries were not made for many of the numbers. The vast majority of entries are between ca. 1938 and ca. 1944. Additional entries to the ledgers, primarily listing subsequent prison assignments, and dates of release or discharge, are added back to 1906 and as late as 1976. The specific function of this set of registers is unknown. Perhaps they served to record good time credit for convicts earning it; perhaps they were meant to record information about a particular group of prisoners. It is possible other conduct registers were part of this set at one time and no longer exist.

The inventory lists the prison numbers and years covered in the ledger--the dates listed for the ledgers refer to the date the inmate or convict entered the prison system. Additional dates added to the ledgers go up to 1976, primarily listing subsequent prison assignments, and dates of release or discharge. The first three ledgers are from the Rusk Penitentiary with a different numbering system from the rest of the prison population. The next or fourth ledger has entries for the first numbering system used, from 1 to 10,000 (the highest number issued is actually 10,016, but the last sixteen numbers were re-issued as 1-16 in the next numbering system); and the fifth ledger begins the next numbering system, 1-104,924 (last number in these ledgers).

Arrangement

The registers are arranged as follows: Indexes, Rusk registers, Huntsville/main prison registers, and three miscellaneous conduct registers. Entries in the indexes are alphabetical by the first letter of the last name and the first vowel used, then in chronological order by date received. The inventory lists the years covered by the indexes. Entries in the conduct registers are arranged numerically by the prison number assigned as the inmates were received.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Conduct registers, 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

The indexes have been microfilmed, the film is the use copy. The conduct registers are very large ledgers and cannot be photocopied. Forms for transcribing the information in the ledgers are available for research use. The indexes are also large ledgers and most are in very fragile condition, with bindings falling off and loose and torn pages. They also cannot be photocopied.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Indexes, 1849-1970

Volume

1998/038-138

1849-1898

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-139

1853-1915

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 1 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-140

1851-1915

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-141

1915-1927

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-142

1916-1932

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 2 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-143

1932-1938

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 3 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-144

1939-1947

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 4 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-145

1948-1955

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 4 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-146

A-J, 1956-1970

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5 INDEX]

Volume

1998/038-147

K-Z, 1956-1970

[Microfilm number is 976.405/T312crl/Reel 5 INDEX]

Conduct registers, (with added information dating to 1970), 1855-1945

Volume

1998/038-177

Rusk, 1-1918, ca. 1876-1884

Volume

1998/038-178

Rusk, 1919-3831, 1884-1889

Volume

1998/038-179

Rusk, 3832-4622, 1889-1891

Volume

1998/038-180

207-10,016 ["A" numbering system], 1-24 ["B" numbering system], 1855-1882 (bulk 1877-1882)

Volume

1998/038-181

1-2544 ["B" numbering system], 1882-1884

Volume

1998/038-182

2545-4455, 1884-1887

Volume

1998/038-183

4456-6375, 1887-1890

Volume

1998/038-184

6376-8277, 1890-1892

Volume

1998/038-185

8287-10145, 1892-1893

Volume

1998/038-186

10146-12064, 1893-1895

Volume

1998/038-187

12065-13978, 1895-1896

Volume

1998/038-188

13979-15893, 1896-1897

Volume

1998/038-189

15894-17813, 1897-1899

Volume

1998/038-190

17814-19766, 1899-1900

Volume

1998/038-191

19767-21719, 1900-1902

Volume

1998/038-192

21720-23669, 1902-1903

Volume

1998/038-193

23670-25625, 1903-1905

Volume

1998/038-194

25626-27575, 1905-1907

Volume

1998/038-195

27576-29525, 1907-1909

Volume

1998/038-196

29526-31457, 1909-1911

Volume

1998/038-197

31458-33389, 1911-1912

Volume

1998/038-198

33390-35327, 1912-1913

Volume

1998/038-199

35328-37229, 1913-1915

Volume

1998/038-200

37230-39180, 1915-1916

Volume

1998/038-201

39181-41133, 1916-1917

Volume

1998/038-202

41134-43052, 1917-1918

Volume

1998/038-203

43053-44968, 1918-1920

Volume

1998/038-204

44969-46960, 1920-1921

Volume

1998/038-205

46961-48910, 1921-1923

Volume

1998/038-206

48911-50902, 1923-1924

Volume

1998/038-207

50903-52918, 1924-1925

Volume

1998/038-208

52919-54910, 1925-1926

Volume

1998/038-209

54911-56917, 1926-1927

Volume

1998/038-210

56918-58921, 1927-1928

Volume

1998/038-211

58922-60937, 1928-1929

Volume

1998/038-212

60938-62899, 1929

Volume

1998/038-213

62900-64899, 1929-1930

Volume

1998/038-214

64900-66906, 1930-1931

Volume

1998/038-215

66907-68911, 1931-1932

Volume

1998/038-216

68912-70984, 1932

Volume

1998/038-217

70985-73102, 1932-1933

Volume

1998/038-218

73103-75200, 1933-1934

Volume

1998/038-219

75201-77269, 1934

Volume

1998/038-220

77270-79300, 1934-1935

Volume

1998/038-221

79301-81317, 1935-1936

Volume

1998/038-222

81318-83260, 1936

Volume

1998/038-223

83261-85270, 1936-1937

Volume

1998/038-224

85271-87292, 1937-1938

Volume

1998/038-225

87293-89404, 1938

Volume

1998/038-226

89405-91469, 1938-1939

Volume

1998/038-227

91470-93533, 1939-1940

Volume

1998/038-228

93534-95547, 1940

Volume

1998/038-229

95548-97608, 1940-1941

Volume

1998/038-230

97609-99639, 1941-1942

Volume

1998/038-231

99640-101689, 1942-1943

Volume

1998/038-232

101690-103725, 1943-1944

Volume

1998/038-233

103726-104924, 1944-1945

Miscellaneous conduct registers

(scattered entries with good time credits listed in addition to the regular data, and added information dating to 1976)

Volume

1998/038-234

23199-60147, ca. 1903-1928

Volume

1998/038-235

31325-70960, 1910-1932

Volume

1998/038-236

26620, 32388-73075; 1906, 1928-1933

Return to the Table of Contents

Statistical record ledgers, 1883-1969,
6.4 cubic ft. (9 ledgers)

This series consists of large ledgers containing a variety of statistics on convicts, or inmates, in the prison system, dating from 1883 to 1969. Each ledger is divided into five sections--Counties of conviction, Classification, Nativity, Occupation, and Miscellaneous statistics. Counties of conviction lists the number of inmates received each month from each county in Texas; Classification lists the number of inmates received each month, further classified by the crime committed (arson, burglary, robbery, murder, etc.); Nativity lists the number of inmates received each month by state or country of origin; Occupation lists the number of inmates received each month further classified by their occupation (laborer, lawyer, architect, cook, etc.); Miscellaneous statistics--lists the numbers of inmates received each month further classified by the following categories: Terms of imprisonment (less than one year, etc.); Short term (less than 1 to 14 years); Black ball men (15-59 years); Red ball men (60 years to life); Race (White, Negro, Mexican); Conjugal condition (married, single, widowed, divorced); Education (fair to good, common, illiterate); Habits (temperate, intemperate); Use of tobacco (users, non-users); Sex (male, female); Terms (1st, 2nd, 3rd and up); Age (under 15, 15-20, etc.); and Religion (Methodist, Baptist, Christian, Hebrew, etc.) (only listed in later ledgers). Within each of the five sections are additional fields of information that differ in each section. Lists of most of the terms used in the section "Occupation" and in several of the categories of the "Miscellaneous Statistics" section are listed in the Categories of information found in the convict record ledgers and statistical record ledgers section of this finding aid (e.g., bakers or laborers as types of occupations).

Within each major section (Counties of conviction, Classification, Nativity, and Occupation), the data is further divided into the following categories: New received (number of new convicts received); Recaptured; Discharged; Pardoned; Escaped; Died; Transferred between Huntsville and Rusk (only listed in the earliest ledgers); and Number of convicts on hand (only listed in the earliest ledgers).

The later ledgers also contain the additional categories for each section: Returned by sheriffs; Furlough violators returned; Parole violators returned; Returned from parole voluntarily; Delivered to sheriffs; Paroled; Furloughed; Full pardon; and Conditional pardon.

Each section of the ledgers contains several years' worth of data (1883-1892 for example) for the first category (new received), then the same years' worth of data for the next category (recaptured), etc.

There are two sets of ledgers. The first set consists of six ledgers of sheets printed with all the categories of each section. This first set dates from 1883 to 1954. The next set consists of three volumes, containing printed sheets listing the section heads (Counties of Conviction, Classification, Nativity, Occupation, Miscellaneous Statistics), but not the categories (Discharged, escaped, pardoned, etc.). These categories are penciled on the top of the page in these volumes, often in the form of abbreviations. It appears that not all categories were being used during the period, which dates from 1955 to 1969.

Another source for statistical data on the prison system is the series Biennial statistics, which provides similar statistics to this series and also includes details of diseases the convicts contracted. Additionally, some of these statistics were reported in the monthly reports of the superintendent to the governor, see the series Monthly reports.

Information of this sort for the individual convicts (occupation, nativity, sex, race, term of imprisonment, education, habits, etc.), can be found in two other series. The most comprehensive set of records on the individual convicts is the series Convict record ledgers. Another series which contains several different but related ledgers with some of this type of data on the convicts is the series Miscellaneous convict ledgers.

Arrangement

Entries in the ledgers are arranged chronologically within each section.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Statistical record ledgers, 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

These ledgers are very large and cannot be photocopied.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Statistical record ledger

Volume

1998/038-237

1883-1892

Volume

1998/038-238

1892-1906

Volume

1998/038-239

1904-1921

Volume

1998/038-240

1922-1930

Volume

1998/038-241

1931-1938

Volume

1998/038-242

1939-1954

Volume

1998/038-243

1955-1964

Volume

1998/038-244

[part I] 1965-1969

Volume

1998/038-245

[part II] 1965-1969

Return to the Table of Contents

Miscellaneous convict ledgers, 1849-1869, 1884-1885, 1897-1970,
4.44 cubic ft. (23 volumes)

This series contains several sets of ledgers providing information on individual convicts, dated 1849-1869, 1884-1885, and 1897-1970. Information in most of the ledgers includes the convict's number, name, county, new arrival, and how released. Though these sets are somewhat related, a description is provided for the different types of ledgers.

Statistical blotters

Statistical blotters are the most numerous set of ledgers (15 volumes) with the greatest date coverage, that is, 1897-1900, 1904-1907, 1931-1935, 1942-1943, 1950-1951, and 1957-1970. Information given is the convict's number, name, religion, county, term, age, race, whether married, tobacco, habits, education, sex, occupation, and nativity. Lists of most of the terms used within this section, such as occupation or education, are listed in Categories of information found in the convict record ledgers and statistical record ledgers section of this finding aid (e.g., bakers or laborers as types of occupations). The information is ordered into the following categories and arranged chronologically by month: New received; Discharged; Delivered to sheriff; Returned to sheriff; Escaped; Pardoned; and Died. The later ledgers contain the following additional categories: Conditional pardons returned; Bench warrants; Conditional pardons; Reprieves; General paroles returned; Reprieves voluntarily returned; Returned reprieve violators; and Returned from b/w (bench warrant).

Convict daybook

The convict daybook is a single ledger, dating 1918-1923. It gives the date, convict number, name, and unit assigned. There are several categories present with one checked per inmate pertinent to his situation. These categories are listed below. Entries are arranged monthly, then by convict number. Categories are: Discharged; Pardoned; Escaped; Died; Paroled; Recaptured; Delivered to sheriff; Returned to sheriff; and New.

Untitled ledger (similar to convict daybook)

An untitled ledger, dating 1934-1936, gives the date, convict number, and has a notes section. The notes section may give the unit sent to, the county received from, whether discharged, or if this was the convict's first parole violation. There are several categories present with one checked per inmate pertinent to his situation. These categories are listed below. Entries are arranged monthly, then by convict number. Categories are: Released on furlough and parole; Delivered on bench warrant; Discharged; Pardoned; Escaped; Died; Transferred; Recaptured; New convicts; Outside forces; Received from bench warrant; and Returned from furlough and parole.

New receives, releases, and returns

New receives, releases, and returns is a single ledger, dating 1960-1961. The ledger contains separate sets of information. The front side of each sheet gives information on releases for a month--convict name, number, date, race, county, crime, and how released (discharged, reprieve, paroled, bench warrant, deceased, escaped, and c/p (may mean conditional pardon - concerns releasing convict to another country). A remarks column is present which notes where a convict was paroled to, where the bench warrant was from, how long the reprieve lasts, country where the c/p was for, etc.

The back side of each sheet gives information on convicts received for the same month--date, convict number, name, and how received (returned reprieve, returned bench warrant, reprieve violator, returned escape, parole violator, or c/p violator). A remarks column sometimes will indicate where the convicts were returned from. The total number of convicts received each month is given at the bottom.

Release books

Two release books from different time periods give information on releases, dating 1919-1927, 1962-1967. The volume from 1919 to 1927 provides the convict number, name, length of term, sentence, and note on how released--pardoned, discharged, died, escaped. This volume is arranged by month, then by convict number. The volume from 1962 to 1967 gives the convict number, name, date, and method of release--parole, discharge, or c/p to another country. This volume is arranged by convict number.

Conduct registers

Two conduct registers are dated 1929-1937 and 1952-1959. They give the convict number, name, date received, length of term, and a set of numbers/letters whose purpose is unknown. A typical line of these numbers reads 19 1 U 11.

Unidentified volume

An unidentified ledger contains several distinct types of information, dating from 1849 to 1869 and 1884 to 1885. The first few pages contain financial transactions, giving a number (likely a voucher number), the individual receiving or sending goods, goods involved (beef, carpet, vinegar, etc.), coin, and currency. These entries date from February-June 1869. Starting on page 67 is a list of property on hand in 1869 - machinery, furniture, supplies, materials, etc. Beginning on page 80 is a list of items for sale or use, presumably in 1869 (horses, shoes, chests, etc.). Starting on page 83 is a list of inmates, dating from 1849 to 1869. There are several categories present with one checked per inmate pertinent to his situation. These categories are: on hand, recaptured, escaped, discharged, pardoned, died, transferred, and not accounted for. These categories are present for each year. And, on page 181, is a list of convicts received at Rusk prison, dating from 1884 to 1885. Information given is convict number (starting with # 1919), name, location (Rusk or camp), county, and date received. Escapes are noted.

Another source of information for individual convicts can be found in the series Convict record ledgers. This contains characteristics of the convict (height, race, occupation, education, etc.), information on the crime committed, and on the sentence received. This is the most comprehensive source of information on individual convicts. Another series, Conduct registers, lists units to which convicts were assigned and also give release information. Also present is a volume listing all the escapes and recaptures of convicts; see the series Escape record.

Arrangement

These records are arranged by type of ledger. Entries within the ledgers are usually chronological within each section.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Miscellaneous convict ledgers, 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

Statistical blotters

Volume

1998/038-246

1897-1900

Volume

1998/038-247

1904-1907

Volume

1998/038-248

1931

Volume

1998/038-249

1932-1933

Volume

1998/038-250

1933-1934

Volume

1998/038-251

1934-1935

Volume

1998/038-252

1942-1943

Volume

1998/038-253

1950-1951

Volume

1998/038-254

1957-1958

Volume

1998/038-255

1958-1960

Volume

1998/038-256

1960-1961

Volume

1998/038-257

1961-1963

Volume

1998/038-258

1963-1966

Volume

1998/038-259

1966-1969

Volume

1998/038-260

1969-1970

Other ledgers

Volume

1998/038-261

Convict daybook, 1918-1923

Volume

1998/038-262

Untitled ledger, 1934-1936

Volume

1998/038-263

New receives, releases, and returns, 1960-1961

Volume

1998/038-264

Release book, 1919-1927

Volume

1998/038-265

Release book, 1962-1967

Volume

1998/038-266

Convict register, 1929-1937

Volume

1998/038-267

Convict register, 1952-1959

Volume

1998/038-268

Unidentified volume, 1849-1869, 1884-1885

Return to the Table of Contents

Biennial statistics, 1906-1920,
0.36 cubic ft. (one ledger)

This series consists of one ledger containing statistics gathered and used in the Board of Prison Commissioners' biennial reports to the governor. Dates of the ledger are 1906-1920. There are several sections within the ledger, and within each section, several categories of information.

Monthly numerical changes in prison population. Data is given by month for these categories: New convicts received; Recaptured; Returned from parole; Returned by sheriffs; Discharged; Pardoned; Escaped; Died; Delivered to sheriffs; and Number of convicts on hand at the end of the month.

Race and color of convicts. Data is given by month for these races: Whites, Blacks, Mulattos, Mexicans, and Indians. It is further broken down by race and month for the following categories: Number of convicts on hand at the end of previous month; New convicts received; Recaptured; Returned from parole; Discharged; Pardoned; Escaped; Died; and Paroled. Number of convicts on hand at the end of the month. The total number of convicts is given for each month.

Discharged (including delivered to sheriffs). This lists the force (a work unit of convicts), number of convicts discharged each month from each force, and the total number of convicts discharged each month from all forces.

Deaths. This lists the force, number of deaths for each month from each force, total number of deaths for all forces for each month, and total number of deaths for the biennium.

Daily convict population. This lists the total number of convicts for each day of the month, a total for each month, a daily average, the highest daily number, and the lowest daily number.

Mortality of convicts. This lists the number of convicts and the various causes of death each month (generally listed by classes of diseases). The causes of death listed each month vary with what the convicts contracted. The total number of convicts for each class of diseases is given for the biennial period. The classes and lists of diseases are: General diseases - typhoid fever, la grippe, measles, etc.; Digestive system problems - acute diarrhea, appendicitis, cirrhosis of the liver, etc.; Respiratory system - consumption, pneumonia, Bright's Disease, etc.; Vasculatory system - flux, heart disease, cardiac asthma, etc.; Nervous system - congestion of the brain, apoplexy, epilepsy, etc.; Constitutional diseases - dropsy, senility, etc.; and Unclassed - killed in escaping, fracture of skull, suicide, knife wound, gunshot wound, wood alcohol poisoning, etc.;

Escapes. This lists the number of convicts escaped from each force for each month. The total number of escapes is given for each month for all forces and for the biennium.

Another set of ledgers which provides some of this same statistical data and numerous other categories not found in this ledger, comprise the series Statistical record ledgers. Escapes are also reported in a separate ledger, see the series Escape record.

Arrangement

The entries in the ledger are generally arranged chronologically within each section.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Biennial statistics, 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

Volume

1998/038-269

Biennial statistics ledger, 1906-1920

Return to the Table of Contents

Escape record, 1851-1943,
0.22 cubic ft. (1 ledger)

This series consists of one ledger listing the convicts who escaped from the prison system, dating 1851-1943. Each entry contains the convict's number, name, term, race, force escaped from, note on how they escaped (from guard, from building, trustee, etc.), date of the escape, and date of recapture. The death of the convict is sometimes noted.

Some of this information can be found in a few other places, but this is the only known comprehensive source on escapes maintained by the prison system. Within the records received from the Department of Criminal Justice described in this finding aid are several series that also contain escape information. The series Convict record ledgers and Conduct registers note "escaped" when applicable in the entries for each convict. The ledgers in the series, Statistical record ledgers, and in the series, Biennial statistics, note the number of escapes each month (but do not name the individuals who had escaped). Additionally, there are some ledgers in the series Miscellaneous convict ledgers that note if a convict escaped. A list of escaped convicts by month can also be found in the series Monthly reports. Methods of escape used and the force escaped from are not generally present in these sources. Also, recapture information for individual convicts is not always present, but is often given as a statistic for the month or year (number of convicts recaptured, etc.).

There are several series of records held by the Archives and Information Services Division that supplement and/or complement the information found in the escape record ledger. The early biennial reports of the boards (Board of Directors, Penitentiary Board, Board of Prison Commissioners, and the Texas Prison Board) for some years of the late 19th to the early 20th century, and the monthly reports of the superintendent in the 19th century often listed the names of the escaped convicts or noted the number of escaped convicts. These records can be found in the collection Records Relating to the Penitentiary, in the series Reports. Also, this escape ledger complements information found in the Adjutant General's records, in the series Ranger records: Frontier Battalion - Lists of fugitives, 1865-1879; and the series Reconstruction records: State Police - Reports of crimes, arrests and fugitives, 1870-1873. In 1911, the Board of Prison Commissioners published Escapes from the Texas State Penitentiaries, a list of at-large escapees, and offered a reward of $25 for their capture. The publication provides the convict's name, number, physical description, details about the crime and other data found in the convict record ledgers, date escaped, and place escaped from (if other than Huntsville). It provides data on convicts entering the penitentiary between 1849 and 1911. The earliest escape date found was 1872. This volume is located in the Texana collection of the Archives and Information Services Division - the call number is 364/T31es.

Arrangement

The entries are arranged by convict number.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Escape record, 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

Volume

1998/038-270

Escape record, 1851-1943

Return to the Table of Contents

Record of United States Prisoners, 1874-1883,
fractional cubic ft.

Information about United States prisoners housed in Huntsville can be found in two series, the Convict record ledgers, and the Monthly reports. The Convict record ledgers contain entries for United States prisoners incarcerated in Huntsville during 1874-1881. These prisoners are assigned regular prison convict numbers and listed in the numerical sequence with a note "United States prisoner - see commitment papers and U.S. prisoners special records." Towards the back of the ledgers the personal and commitment data is listed in numerical order. In the series, Monthly reports, the back of the volume contains pages listing United States prisoners housed in the state penitentiary in 1882 and 1883.

Arrangement

These records are arranged by year, then convict number.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Record of United States Prisoners, 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

The convict record ledger cannot be photocopied because of its large size and deteriorating condition. The monthly reports volume, a letter press book, is also very fragile and cannot be photocopied.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Convict record ledgers containing entries for U.S. Prisoners, 1874-1881

Volume

1998/038-150

3001-7550 ["A" series], 1873-1879

[U.S. prisoner entries, 1874-1879]

Volume

1998/038-151

7551-10,000 ["A" series], 1-2488 ["B" series], 1879-1884

[U.S. prisoner entries, 1879-1881]

Monthly Reports volume containing entries for U.S. prisoners, dating 1882-1883

Box

1998/038-46

Monthly reports, 1881-1883

[U.S. prisoner lists 1882-1883]

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Photographs, [ca. 1911]-[ca. 1985], undated (bulk [ca. 1965]-c[a. 1980]),
25.07 cubic ft.

This series consists of photographs, contact sheets, negatives, and slides of prison system activities, dating from ca. 1911 to ca. 1985, and undated (bulk ca. 1965-ca. 1980). Most of the images are black and white 8 x 10 prints, 5 x 7 prints, or 3 x 5 snapshots. Also present are a few enlargements, up to 16 x 20. Other formats include color 8 x 10 prints, color Polaroids, color snapshots, color and black and white negatives and contact sheets, and color and black and white slides (most are color). Lastly are three albums of photographs of black and white prints, dating mostly from the 1940s to the 1970s. One album has some photographs dated 1911 and other photographs dated in the 1940s; one was compiled for a former assistant warden, Joe Byrd, dating ca. 1940-1980; and one is from the Photo and ID Unit of the Department of Corrections, containing images from the Walls Unit dating from ca. 1949-ca. 1954. Also present is a small set of prints and negatives used in the prison newspaper, The Echo, dating from 1960 to 1962.

Most of the images in this series were taken by staff photographers, though some were taken by commercial photographers, others were taken by private individuals and donated to the prison, and some were likely taken by inmates for prison publications. Many of these images appear to have been used in The Echo (in addition to those mentioned above), staff newsletters, annual reports, and other agency reports. Topics of these photographs include:

interior and exterior views of the various prison units, including cells, exercise yards, shops, construction of facilities, etc.
inmates working at jobs, including construction, making brooms and mops, drycleaning, sewing, laundering, cooking, farming, welding, making shoes, making furniture, making license plates, etc.
various views of inmates inside the prison, such as inmates at the commissary, being frisked by guards, walking the corridors, exercising in the outdoor yards, eating meals, etc.
inmates in educational and vocational classes, including shots of inmates receiving high school diplomas
recreational activities of the prisoners, including boxing, basketball games and other team sports, prison musical bands, scenes from plays, female prisoners working on needlework, inmates participating in the prison rodeo, etc.
various other inmate topics, including medical and dental treatment, inmate alcoholism and counseling services, transportation, transferring prisoners, etc.
guards on duty in the prison and at the prison farms, guards at the rifle range, officers training school, guards receiving awards, etc.
portraits and other images of the executive director, wardens, and other prison staff; governors and other state officials; and other individuals interested in the operation of the prison system, most shown with the executive director - directors most often pictured are Dr. George Beto and W.J. Estelle, Jr.
portraits of prison governing board members and images of board meetings and/or corrections-related conferences or meetings - the board member most featured is H.H. "Pete" Coffield
personnel-related topics, including views of staff at work, portraits of staff, staff picnics, softball games, etc.

Most of the photographs are foldered alphabetically by topic. There are five groups or subseries of photographs in this series - two separate groups of topical photographs; a group of unit photographs; a miscellaneous group of slides, contact sheets, prints, and negatives; and scrapbooks. Because many of these images are not individually dated, circa dates for each group are used instead of placing dates on each folder. Most of the photos in the "unit photos group" and the slides are dated, but few of the topical photographs were individually dated. Folders are dated when the images have specific dates.

Most of the photographs of the Texas Prison Rodeo were maintained in a separate series; see the series Texas Prison Rodeo photographs in this finding aid. Slides prepared for training purposes, also showing various aspects of life in prison (views of guards, inmates, contraband, etc.), can be found in the series In-service training materials.

The Archives and Information Services Division has a few photographs of prisoners and prison activities, primarily from one of the prison farms, dating ca. 1910-1920 in the Prints and Photographs Collection, photos 1930/003-18, 1975/070-4415, and 1976/031-166 through 186. Additionally, the collection, Records Relating to the Penitentiary, in the series Special subject reports, contains photographs in a engineer's report on the iron industry operations at Rusk Penitentiary, dated 1908.

A collection of historic photographs of the prison is housed at the Walls Unit in Huntsville. For access to these and more current photographs of the prison, including mug shots of inmates, contact the Media Services Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Some older historic photographs can also be found at Newton-Gresham Library, Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, Texas.

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

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The Echo, 1933-1995,
2.27 cubic ft.

This series consists of paper and microfilm copies of The Echo, the prison newspaper for inmates in the Texas prison system, dating from 1933 to 1995. Topics covered in the newspaper include:

legislation or court rulings that could affect inmates or the corrections system (hearings on death cases, parole system changes, reform legislation, Ruiz decision, etc.)
changes in the board or prison administration (new board members appointed, new wardens or farm managers hired, etc.)
prison industries (such as the price the cotton crop brought in, etc.)
summaries or commentaries on visits to the prison by outside individuals (who they were, why they came, what they did, what they talked about--if they spoke at the prison, etc.)
reports from units (such as who is up for parole, who has left, recreational activities at that unit, etc.)
inmate health and welfare (AIDS, nutrition, psychological articles, etc.)
inmate recreational activities (sports, rodeo, plays, bands, art shows, etc.)
inmate education activities (college coursework available for inmates, high school graduations, etc.)
religion in the prison for inmates
editorials (concerning prison life, changes needed in corrections measures, etc.)

The Echo, has been published monthly at Huntsville by inmates in the print shop. (A recent newspaper article noted that the publication of The Echo, was being suspended due to lack of resources.) Inmates do some of the writing and editing, though how much is not clear. The later issues of the paper have more space devoted to news articles, such as legislation or changes in the criminal justice industry, etc., and less given over to unit reports as did the paper in its early years. The microfilm copy covers the years 1933-1984. There are loosely bound paper copies covering the years 1933-1944, 1946-1949, 1951-1974. Neither the microfilm nor the paper copy is complete. In several instances, articles have been cut out of the paper. There are also scattered issues present for 1970-1972, 1981, 1984-1995. In the newspaper collection of the Archives and Information Services Division there are a few scattered issues between 1944 and 1968, the Texas Documents Collection holds issues from 1991 to ongoing. The Center for American History holds scattered issues between 1928-1931 and 1938-1968.

Arrangement

The records are arranged into three groups - microfilm, loosely bound sets of papers, and loose issues; and arranged chronologically within each group.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), The Echo, 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

Because of the fragile condition of the newspapers, the microfilm copy, when present, must be used. If the film is inadequate, the paper copy can be used. Photocopies cannot be made from the actual newspapers, but reader-printer copies can be made from the microfilm.

Processed by

Laura K. Saegert, October 1999

Microfilm of The Echo

reel

1998/038-367 (MF #3632)

June 1933 - December 1948

reel

1998/038-368 (MF #3633)

February 1949 - December 1963

reel

1998/038-369 (MF #3634)

January 1964 - August/September 1984

Loosely bound issues of The Echo

Volume

1998/038-370

1933-1935

Volume

1998/038-371

1936-1939

Volume

1998/038-372

1939-1941

Volume

1998/038-373

1941-1944

Volume

1998/038-374

1946-1949

Volume

1998/038-375

1951-1952

Volume

1998/038-376

1953-1956

Volume

1998/038-377

1957-1958

Volume

1998/038-378

1959-1960

Volume

1998/038-379

1961-1962

Volume

1998/038-380

1962-1963

Volume

1998/038-381

1964-1966

Volume

1998/038-382

1967

Volume

1998/038-383

1968

Volume

1998/038-384

1969

Volume

1998/038-385

1970

Volume

1998/038-386

1971

Volume

1998/038-387

1972-1974

Loose issues of The Echo (scattered issues within each date range)

Box

1998/038-388

1970-1972

1981, 1984-1985

1986-1987

1988-1989

1989-1991

1992-1993

1993-1995

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Maps, [ca. 1960], 1961, 1975, 1984,
fractional cubic ft.

This series consists of four maps, dating ca. 1960, 1961, 1975, and 1984. Two of the maps were created by the Department of Corrections: one provides a detailed plat of Eastham prison farm (ca. 1960); the other pinpoints all the state prison farms (1961). The other two maps present were not created by the Department of Corrections, but used by it. These two maps are a county highway map (privately printed) of Walker County in 1984, and a 1975 map illustrating the long-range transportation plan for Walker County.

A map of the Shaw State Farm can be found in the series Miscellaneous legal documents. A few earlier maps and sketches of prison lands can be found in a collection held by the Archives and Information Services Division - Records relating to the Penitentiary, in the series Offers and proposals, and the series Blueprints and maps.

Arrangement

These records are arranged as received.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Maps, 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

Map-case

Map no. 7890

Eastham State Farm, by the Texas Department of Corrections, ca. 1960

Map-case

Map no. 7891

State Farm Units, by the Texas Department of Corrections, 1961

Map-case

Map no. 7892

Walker County Transportation Plan, 1975-1990, by the State Department of Highways and Public Transportation, 1972; aerial photography done in 1975

Map-case

Map no. 7893

Walker County, Texas, published and copyright by Sunbelt Advertising, Inc., 1984

[county highway map with a state highway map on the reverse]

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Blueprints and drawings, [ca. 1960]-1984,
0.47 cubic ft.

This series consists of blueprints and drawings for changes to the Wynne Unit in Huntsville, dating ca. 1960-1984. Some of the plans date back to 1960, most were prepared in the early 1980s, and all are stamped August 14, 1984. Types of projects represented in these drawings/blueprints include additions to and remodeling of existing buildings at Wynne, and construction of new facilities. Alterations are shown for the kitchen and dining room areas, the clinic buildings, unit "A," the bathhouse, the laundry, the mattress factory, and others. New facilities represented include a pasteurization building, chapel, boiler house, warehouse and office space, and others.

The Archives and Information Services Division holds a large collection of unprocessed building materials (blueprints, drawings, correspondence, changes, etc.) from the Department of Criminal Justice, dating ca. 1980-ca. 1985, that concerns changes at Wynne and several other prison units.

Arrangement

These records are arranged as received.

Preferred Citation

(Identify the item), Blueprints and drawings, 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

1998/038-389

Blueprints and drawings, Wynne Unit, ca. 1960-1984

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Texas Prison Rodeo records, 1931-1986, undated (bulk 1973-1980),
4.20 cubic ft.

Records consist of rodeo programs, clippings, brochures, and photographs documenting the Texas Prison Rodeo, dating 1931-1986, undated (bulk 1973-1980). Specific items present are black and white and color photographs from rodeos, primarily 8 x 10 prints, dating ca. 1934-1984; contacts sheets and negatives, ca. 1975-1980; a scrapbook of black and white photographs, dating 1941-1945; rodeo programs dating 1939, 1941-1942, 1947-1986; clippings about the rodeo, dating back to the first rodeo in 1931; and some undated brochures about the rodeo, dating ca. 1978-ca. 1986. Scenes shown include shots of prison officials, dignitaries, and clowns, and shots from rodeo events performed by inmates in the prison system, such as calf roping and bull riding.

The Texas Prison Rodeo was begun in 1931 by the Texas Prison System. Convicts performed traditional rodeo acts, such as bull riding, calf roping, acting as clowns, etc. Competition was limited to male inmates until 1972, when female inmates began participating. Over the years nationally-known musical performers, such as Dolly Parton, performed at the rodeo as well. The rodeo ceased operation in 1986.

A related series from the overall TDCJ finding aid is The Echo, the prison system newspaper that reported regularly on the activities of the prison rodeo. A series in a separate TDCJ finding aid, Photographs, has additional photographs from the prison rodeo. The Department of Criminal Justice holds scrapbooks about the prison rodeo, dating from 1948 to 1955.

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

The records are organized into two series:

Photographs, [ca. 1934]-1984, undated (bulk 1973-1980), 3.26 cubic ft.

Programs and related materials, 1931-1986, undated, 0.94 cubic ft.

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Carrasco tapes, July-August 1974,
0.59 cubic ft.

These are audio tapes from a hostage incident that occurred at the Huntsville Unit education and library facility, from July 27 to August 12, 1974. The dates cover the incident (July 27-August 3) and the post-incident interviews (August 7-12). The incident is also known as the "Huntsville Siege." It involved three inmates - Fred Gomez Carrasco, Rudy S. Dominguez, and Ignacio Cuevas, who took hostages and made a number of demands to prison officials in exchange for their freedom. The incident lasted more than a week, ending with the death of two female hostages, the wounding of other hostages, and the death of inmate gunmen Carrasco and Dominguez. The hostages were employees Glen D. Johnson, Ronald W. Robinson, Aline V. House, Novella M. Pollard, Linda G. Woodman, Elizabeth Y. Beseda - died, Julia C. Standley - died, Bertha M. Davis, Ann Fleming, Bobby G. Heard, and Anthony Branch; Father Joseph O'Brien; and four inmates, Martin Quiroz, Henry Escamilla, Steve Robertson, and Florencio Vera. The surviving inmate gunman, Ignacio Cuevas, was convicted and sentenced to death for the murder of hostage Julia Standley. He was executed on May 23, 1991.

The tapes record the conversations between the inmates, director W.J. Estelle, Jr., Carrasco's attorney - Ruben Montemayor (who served as a mediator), warden H.H. Husbands, Governor Dolph Briscoe, reporters, hostages and their families, and others. The inventory transcribes information written on the cassettes about either the speakers and/or the content of the tapes. Many of the conversations with the inmate gunmen are either in Spanish or else in Spanish and English. Most of the tapes date during the siege, July 27-August 3, 1974. A few date from August 7-12, 1974, and are interviews with the surviving inmate gunman and hostages about the siege.

The tapes were duplicated in December 2000-January 2001 in order to make a use copy available for research. All the tapes were listened to briefly to determine their condition; a random sample were fully played. Notes in the inventory indicate when blank sides were discovered. However, not all the tapes were listened to sufficiently to determine the extent of the recordings for each cassette. Researchers should not assume all tapes containing a blank side are so marked.

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

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