Hello, I need some guidance please. I am trying to locate the correct agency or the location of information through the National Archives for copies of an inmate’s personal files. The prison was the Dwight Correctional Center located in Livingston Co, Dwight, Illinois. The prison was opened in 1930 and closed in 2013. There is no longer an operating website for contact information for this facility.
I have already filed a FOIA request to The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). A reply to my request was returned stating they did not maintain or possess the records I requested and suggested I try the Illinois State Archives. After reviewing both the state and the Illinois Regional Archives (by county) had to offer, I didn’t think this was where I could locate the kind of files I’m looking for. At the time of my request, I did not know Dwight was a Federal Prison.
I then researched who would handle Federal Prison files and was directed to the Department of Justice (DOJ), through their website under prisons, it said to contact The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). I then sent a FOIA request to the BOP. I received a reply from them that the records I was seeking were maintained by the BOP. They referred me back to the Department of Justice or I could try The Office of General Counsel (OGC) which handles the Department of Veterans Affairs, lastly they suggested I try The Office of Government Information (OGIS), National Archives in Maryland. I didn’t think Dwight Correctional Center would fall under The Department of Veterans Affairs, perhaps if it were involved in the Civil War it might be. I was actually surprised I was directed to the National Archives for files from a closed prison. I’ve tried a few searches using the Archive catalog, but with no success. So if anyone in this group could please give me some idea as to where I might start or how I need to correctly word my search, I would greatly appreciate any help I can get. I’ve tried a few times using an inmate search but the person I’m looking for information on was incarcerated in 1933. She was never released, she escaped by scaling the wall in 1940, she was never caught. Records after her escape would be with the FBI. A FOIA has been sent to them. If it would help, this is the personal information for the person whom I’m looking for their personal prison records -- Legal name was Ella Marie Berendt-Jarman; Assumed name by 1933 was Eleanor Jarman; Born 22 April 1901, Sioux City, IA; Death unknown; Incarcerated September 1933 at the Dwight Correctional Center, Dwight, Livingston Co., IL; and Escaped August 8, 1940. Looking forward to any ideas on how to locate these files! Thank you.