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.

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Research Registration Form - Prison Record Search (PDF)

Research Registration Form - Prison Record Search