Series IV. Office of the Superintendent, 1869-1991 (bulk 1908-1970).

Containers:

Box 391-478; 481-572, 693 and Oversize Box 2., Volume 143-161.

Extent:

Extent: 75.69 cubic feet of records and 19 volumes.

Scope and content:

The Office of the Superintendent series contains 19 volumes and is housed in 181 boxes and one over-size folder. It is arranged into eight (8) subseries. Subseries have been designated for: A. Letter Books; B. General Correspondence; C. State Convict Road Force; D. Correspondence-Office of the Governor; E. Reports and Publications; F. Guard Logs-Virginia Penitentiary; G. Reference Books; and H. Photographs. These records include letter books, correspondence, subject files, telegrams, contracts, reports, speeches, photographs, audio tapes, videotapes, lists and budgets. The Superintendent was the chief executive officer of the Penitentiary and directed its internal policy and management subject to the control of the Board of Directors (post 1902 Virginia Constitution). Prior to the 1901-1902 Constitutional Convention, the Superintendent was elected by the Virginia General Assembly to serve a two year term. In 1942 the Virginia General Assembly created the Virginia Department of Corrections, consolidating the administration and regulation of all penal and correctional intuitions under one agency lead by the Commissioner of Corrections. This new department was overseen by a five member Board of Corrections. Corrections departments were merged into the Department of Welfare and Institutions by a government reorganization act passed by the General Assembly in 1948. In 1974 the Department of Welfare and Institutions was abolished and a new Department of Corrections was created.

This series documents the work of the Superintendent's Office at the Virginia Penitentiary. Researchers should be aware that there are significant gaps within this series. For example there are very few correspondence prior to 1908, between 1911 and 1913, 1920s, and post World War II. The bulk of the records can be found in the General Correspondence and State Convict Road Force subseries. Topics include convict labor, penitentiary operations, prisoner escapes, paroled prisoners, prisoner information/inquiries, prisoner discipline, clemency requests, executions, employment requests, State Farm (Goochland County), State Industrial Farm for Woman (Goochland County), State Lime Grinding Plant and State Convict Road Force. Researchers should also note that additional State Convict Road Force and State Lime Grinding Plant records can be found in Series V. and VI.

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