Title Info: Corrections Department, Reformatory Admissions Registers, 1908-1923

This collection consists of records of admission into the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe, Washington. Information recorded includes name, inmate number, date received at institution, crime, county of arrest, residence, age, occupation, and place of birth. The digitized records include a photograph.

The Washington State Reformatory was established in 1907 to provide facilities for the reform and rehabilitation of young criminals convicted of relatively minor offenses. The concept was to teach inmates a skill and work ethics, in order to re-enter society as useful citizens. The first job of the inmates, and their first taste of vocational training, was to build themselves a prison. A brick plant was established and the inmates proceeded to build the first permanent administration building, a cell block, and walls. The programs at the Reformatory were designed to provide literacy training and vocational skills. Trades such as baking, barbering, bookkeeping, photography, bricklaying, and tailoring were taught. In addition, inmates were expected to work on the Reformatory farm, both to develop physically and be close to nature.

Currently, indexing of inmates from 1908-1923 is available online, which includes inmates numbered 1-4105, in addition to 33 inmates that were transferred from and then returned to the State Penitentiary.

Learn about institution records and what information is found by selecting the tab that says "About this Collection" here.