Elmira Reformatory

The Elmira Reformatory was founded in 1876 as an initiative to transform prisons from institutions of punishment to places of rehabilitation. Its first superintendent, Zebulon Brockway, designed a system through which first time offenders were educated and reformed to reenter society as model citizens. Brockway hoped his method would serve as a model for reforming America’s criminal justice system.

The Gilded Ideal

Brockway implemented a number of new procedures centered on educating and training inmates. The industrial labor program offered inmates the opportunity to develop skills such as brush making, shoe cobbling, iron casting, and textile production. All inmates were required to attend classes; guest lectures were also available. If prisoners showed improved character, they became eligible for early release. Brockway’s program of earned early release and parole was widely adopted by other prisons.

The Tarnished Reality

In 1893, allegations brought forth by inmates and prison officials resulted in an investigation of Brockway and the Elmira System. The investigation confirmed that Brockway had beaten inmates and left prisoners in solitary confinement for excessive periods of time. Although the Elmira Reformatory was established on the ideal of rehabilitation rather than punishment, a number of Brockway’s practices proved otherwise. While he was not disciplined, his practices and procedures were judged to be abusive and inhumane.

Elmira Reformatory The architecture of the Reformatory was designed to appear more like a hospital or school, rather than a prison, fitting with the educational and rehabilitation goals of the institution.
Inmates at Lecture Inmates who were successful in reformatory classes were allowed to attend guest lectures. Many of the lecturers came from the women’s college located down the road from the Reformatory.
Zebulon Brockway’s Cane After leaving the Elmira Reformatory in 1900, Brockway became well known for his book Fifty Years of Prison Service, which described his time at Elmira and other correctional facilities.
Brockway’s Paddle, 1894 Brockway was notorious for personally conducting beatings, which he called “spankings.”
Restraints, 1894 Restraints were used on inmates in solitary confinement. Inmates were often chained to the floor or wall for eleven hours a day, preventing them from standing upright.

Elmira Reformatory

Elmira Reformatory

The architecture of the Reformatory was designed to appear more like a hospital or school, rather than a prison, fitting with the educational and rehabilitation goals of the institution.

Inmates at Lecture

Inmates who were successful in reformatory classes were allowed to attend guest lectures. Many of the lecturers came from the women’s college located down the road from the Reformatory.

Zebulon Brockway’s Cane

After leaving the Elmira Reformatory in 1900, Brockway became well known for his book Fifty Years of Prison Service, which described his time at Elmira and other correctional facilities.

Brockway’s Paddle, 1894

Brockway was notorious for personally conducting beatings, which he called “spankings.”

Restraints, 1894

Restraints were used on inmates in solitary confinement. Inmates were often chained to the floor or wall for eleven hours a day, preventing them from standing upright.