Georgia, U.S., U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta, Prisoner Index, 1880-1922

This data collection is an index to case files of inmates held at the Atlanta U.S. Federal Penitentiary from approximately 1902 to 1922 (see citation to originals below). The Atlanta penitentiary opened in 1902. However, the case files include documentation of prisoners incarcerated at other federal prisons as early as 1880. The purpose of the case files was to document an inmate’s time in prison. The files were compiled between 1902 and 1921 and include information such as:

• Name of inmate (full name and other aliases)


• Inmate number


• Age at time of sentencing


• Race


• Date incarcerated


• Release dates


• Place of conviction


• Crime


• Sentence and fine amounts


• Dispensation (i.e. “served full sentence”, “pardoned”, “paroled”, “deceased”, etc.)


• Physical description


• Birthplace


• Level of education


• Citizenship status


• Info related to the inmate’s time in prison (i.e. violations, medical treatments, copies of letters sent or received, work assignments, etc.)

Many case files also include a fingerprint card and a mug shot.

About the Index:

Information contained in this index includes:

• Name of inmate


• Inmate number


• Race


• Age


• Date incarcerated


• Date released


• Crime

How to Obtain Copies of Original Files:

The original case files are located at the NARA Southeast Region facility near Atlanta. To order copies of these records you will need to contact the Archive:

NARA Southeast Region (Atlanta)
5780 Jonesboro Road
Morrow, Georgia 30260
Phone: 770-968-2100
Fax: 770-968-2547
Email: [email protected]

The original case files are arranged numerically by inmate number. Please make sure to include this number when requesting a copy of a file from the archive.

Source Citation of Original Case Files:

Inmate Case Files, compiled 1902-1921, documenting the period ca. 1880-ca. 1922. Records of the Bureau of Prisons, 1870-2009, Record Group 129. NARA Southeast Region (Atlanta).