Indiana Women's Prison photographs
Collection — Folder: SP077
Identifier: SP077
Scope and Contents
This collection includes photographs of the Indiana Women's Prison in Indianapolis, Indiana ranging from circa 1900 to 1961 regarding its buildings, grounds, and staff, as well as the inmates and their activities. The bulk of the staff photographs were taken in January 1935, while most of the building and interior views are from the early 1900s, 1935, and 1958.
Dates
- circa 1900-1961
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Administrative History
"The Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls was founded in 1869 in Indianapolis, making it the first female correctional facility in the country. It opened in 1873 with the transfer of 17 women who were incarcerated at the Indiana State Prison in Jeffersonville. The institution focused on the rehabilitation of its inmates through labor and education—sewing, laundry, knitting, etc.
"By 1899, it was deemed necessary to separate the women and children, so the reformatory was divided into two sections, adults were housed in the prison and children younger than 15 lived in the reformatory. When the Indiana Girls School opened at 2596 North Girls’ School Road in 1907, the children were transferred there and the reformatory was renamed the Indiana Woman’s (later Women’s) Prison.
"Situated on 15 acres at 401 North Randolph Street, Indiana Woman’s Prison remained in one building until the late 1930s when an administration building, residential cottages, hospital, and chapel were added. In 1975, the prison board was disbanded and control was assigned to the Indiana Parole Board, which developed a master plan and renovated several buildings. By the early 1990s, the prison incarcerated 350 women and had a staff of approximately 240 full-time employees."
Excerpts from: Fischer, Jessica Erin. "Indiana Women’s Prison." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, 1994, 2021. Revised March 2021. Accessd October 14, 2021. https://beta.indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-women-s-prison.
"By 1899, it was deemed necessary to separate the women and children, so the reformatory was divided into two sections, adults were housed in the prison and children younger than 15 lived in the reformatory. When the Indiana Girls School opened at 2596 North Girls’ School Road in 1907, the children were transferred there and the reformatory was renamed the Indiana Woman’s (later Women’s) Prison.
"Situated on 15 acres at 401 North Randolph Street, Indiana Woman’s Prison remained in one building until the late 1930s when an administration building, residential cottages, hospital, and chapel were added. In 1975, the prison board was disbanded and control was assigned to the Indiana Parole Board, which developed a master plan and renovated several buildings. By the early 1990s, the prison incarcerated 350 women and had a staff of approximately 240 full-time employees."
Excerpts from: Fischer, Jessica Erin. "Indiana Women’s Prison." Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, 1994, 2021. Revised March 2021. Accessd October 14, 2021. https://beta.indyencyclopedia.org/indiana-women-s-prison.
Extent
0.02 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged by subject.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2021/10/15 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid 2021/10/15 by Brittany Kropf.
- Title
- Indiana Women's Prison photographs
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
