Archive Record
Metadata
Title of Record Series |
Vagrancy Dockets (Prison) |
Year Range from |
1894 |
Year Range to |
1963 |
Collection/Office |
Prison |
Catalog Number |
PN-6 |
Description |
Record of individuals detained at the Lancaster County Prison for minor offenses such as vagrancy, drunk and disorderly conduct (d.d.c.), and trespassing. Records show prisoner name, date of offense, cell number, days served, and date discharged. |
Admin/Biographical History |
Lancaster's first prison was built not far from the banks of the Susquehanna River by its first Sheriff Robert Barber in 1729. This served as Lancaster's prison for nearly a decade until one was built within the confines of the city. In conjunction with the new prison constuction, a new law was enacted in 1850 which provided that the Sheriff no longer have control of the prison but instead prison inspectors and a prison warden. |