Scope and Contents The materials that make up this collection represent the life and work of James Van Benschoten Bennett. More specifically, the materials portray his role as the second Director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons and as a prolific prison reformer. The most popular theme represented in the collection is prison policy and reform – which is often discussed in articles and speeches composed by Bennett. The collection also contains numerous correspondence and case histories of prison inmates. Pictorial...

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence from a prisoner at Ship Island, Mississippi to Jefferson Davis. It also contains an article by Lee Meriwether regarding his childhood encounter with Davis.

Scope and Contents The Sanford Bates Papers (1906-1972; fifty two boxes) documents the life of one of the country’s most influential criminologists and prison administrators. These materials depict Sanford Bates’ personal lifeand career as a practicing lawyer in Boston, member of the Massachusetts Legislature and Senate, first Massachusetts Department of Corrections Commissioner, and first Director of the Federal Bureau ofPrisons. Sanford Bates also served as the Executive Director of the Boys Clubs of...

Scope and Contents

This collection contains editions of “The Welfare Reporter”, a periodical which focuses on mental health in prisons, as well as administrative issues. This periodical is circulated by the New Jersey Department of Institutions and Agencies.