Series IV.B.V. Superintendent Rice M. Youell, 1920-1942.

Containers:

Box 408-453 and Oversize Box 2.

Scope and content:

Superintendent Rice M. Youell's correspondence are housed in 46 boxes and one oversize box. The correspondence are further divided by date: B.V.1. 1920-1923; B.V.2. 1924-1927; B.V.3. 1928-1929; B.V.4. 1930-1931; B.V.5. 1931-1934; B.V.6. 1934-1937; B.V.7. Subject Files, 1931-1942. The largest and most complete group of Youell's correspondence cover 1931-1934 and documents the impact of the Great Depression and Federal legislation on convict labor on the Penitentiary.

Rice M. Youell was born in Rockbridge County on 12 February 1891. He attended the Virginia Military Institute and was captain of the football team. Following his graduation from VMI in 1914, Youell enlisted in the United States Army. During World War I, Youell served in First Division, 26th United States Infantry. He was wounded in action during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive and received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism under fire. Major Youell resigned his commission in 1920 and returned to Virginia to engage in private business. Youell was elected Superintendent on 15 May 1922 to fill the unexpired term of James B. Wood. Youell served as Superintendent until 1942 when he was selected as the first Commissioner of Corrections. In 1948 he was named director of the reorganized corrections division, a position he held until his retirement in 1960. Major Youell was elected president of the American Prison Association in 1937 and president of the Southern States Prison Association in 1955. Youell married Gladys Katherine Keller and the couple had one son, Rice M. Youell, Jr. Youell died on 15 March 1962.

Access and use

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