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Official Website

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Local, state, and federal government websites often end in .gov. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania government websites and email systems use "pennsylvania.gov" or "pa.gov" at the end of the address. Before sharing sensitive or personal information, make sure you're on an official state website. 
    Pennsylvania State Archives

    Request Research - Prison Records

    The Pennsylvania State Archives has inmate records for Eastern State Penitentiary, Western State Penitentiary, Pennsylvania Industrial Reformatory, and the Allegheny County Workhouse. Most of the inmate records are accessible online through Ancestry.com  or PA Power Library . 

    In 1821, the state legislature approved the construction of Eastern State Penitentiary.

    Please complete this form

    Research Registration Form - Prison Record Search (PDF)

    Research Registration Form - Prison Record Search