AV 130 Ohio Reformatory for Women Collection

              AV 130
Ohio Reformatory for Women Collection
Page 1
OHIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Manuscripts/ Audiovisual Collections
AV 130
Ohio Reformatory for Women Collection
Ca. 1930s- 1950s
OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION
Number:
AV 130
Title:
Ohio Reformatory for Women Collection
Creator:
Unknown
Dates:
Ca. 1930s- 1950s
Media:
Photographs, postcards
Quantity:
0.17 cubic feet
Location:
Ohio Historical Center
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE COLLECTION
The Ohio Reformatory for Women was opened on September 1, 1916 with a population of 34 inmates. As of December 2006 the facility occupied 257.8 acres of land, employed 486 staff and housed over 2,000 inmates.
Significant in the history of the Reformatory is Marguerite Reilley who was appointed superintendent of the Reformatory in 1935 by Governor Martin Davey. She succeeded Louise Mittendorf. Marguerite Reilley was a nationally known social and penal reformer. Through her efforts, the Reformatory gained national recognition as a model women’s prison. Inmates were provided recreation periods and entertainment. Jobs were assigned to the inmates and a vocational training program was established. After 22 years of service Mrs. Reilley retired in 1958 due to poor health.
Martha Wheeler succeeded Marguerite Reilley as superintendent of the Reformatory on April 1, 1958 and reforms continued under her stewardship. Miss Wheeler’s first action as superintendent was to desegregate living quarters, cafeterias, recreational activities, and employment at the institution. She was also responsible for creating additional education, recreation and counseling programs for inmates.
Today the Ohio Reformatory for Women continues to provide inmates with opportunities for treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, continuing education, vocational training, industrial work and community service. Currently the Reformatory has several programs to assist