Bedford Hills Correctional Facility.

The facility at Bedford Hills originated with a law of 1892 (Chapter 637), "An Act to provide for the establishment of a reformatory for women, and making an appropriation therefor." The reformatory, to be known as the "reformatory for women," was to be located in New York or Westchester County. The governor was to appoint five state residents, including at least two women, as a board of managers who were to purchase land and buy or construct buildings. When construction was completed, the board was to appoint a female superintendent (amended by Laws of 1921, Chapter 485 so that the superintendent did not have to be female) and to provide county clerks with blank forms to use when committing women to the reformatory.

Females between 16 and 30 years old who were convicted of any misdemeanor or felony except murder, manslaughter, burglary, or arson, and who were not mentally or physically incapable of benefiting from the facility, could be committed for from three to five years, unless released earlier by the board of managers. The official committing the woman was to record her name, age, birthplace, occupation, last place of residence, and crime; and to submit a copy of this record to the superintendent.

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