Description
Petitions and release forms for prisoners who have served their sentences, but are unable to pay the costs of prosecution or fine as provided for in the PA Act of May 6, 1887 No. 39. For many of the prisoners to be discharged there are two forms. Form #1, often titled "Schedule of All the Property," is the prisoner's petition for release as an insolvent declaring that he/she does not have any property (real, personal, or mixed). Information includes name of prisoner and Justice of the Peace attesting to the prisoner's statement of insolvency. Form #2 is the authorization for release. Information includes name of prisoner, crime, date of sentencing and incarceration period; costs of prosecution and/or fine; time served; Justice of the Peace authorizing release (often with conditions such as "to leave the county"); the Commissioners' opinions (on the verso side of the release); and signatures of the prisoner, Commissioners, and Justice of the Peace.
Arrangement: Chronological by document date and within date alphabetical by prisoner's last name.
Index: None. Click "inventory" for list of holdings.
Related Records: Sheriff Papers 1. PRISONER COMMITMENTS AND DISCHARGES 1890-1892.
Commissioners Papers 2. PRISON CALENDARS 1776…1852