Delaware County Jail research files
Collection
Identifier: MSS-181
Scope and Contents
The Delaware County Jail research files is a collection of newspaper clippings compiled and
indexed by the Center for Middletown Studies. They range from 1978 to 1997, though the index
only includes the newspaper clippings until 1994. These articles are clipped from the Muncie
Evening Press and the Muncie Star respectively. The substance of the articles focuses mostly on the building plans of the new Delaware County Justice Center and the controversies surrounding
the construction, but some concern inmate behavior. The original index of the articles dated 1979
until 1994 is included as part of this Finding Aid. Articles not included in this index are listed
under the folder entitled "Newspaper clippings not indexed."
Dates
- 1978-1997
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Archives and Special Collections, Ball State University Libraries, Muncie, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Archives and Special Collections.
Historical Note
In 1978, controversy about overcrowding in the Delaware County Jail developed and a class
action suit was filed by inmates of the jail alleging improper jail conditions, especially
overcrowding. A state inspection of the jail in March of 1980 resulted in demands that the
problems be addressed. A compromise in the inmates' lawsuit was reached in January 1981
required the county to pay for the legal fees of the inmates and propose a resolution to the
problems of overcrowding, poor lighting, insufficient diet, lack of bedding and more by
September of the same year. Finally, in November 1985, a resolution was approved by the court.
Demolition of the existing jail was approved, but the court said that a new jail should be finished
by July 1, 1987, and no later than August 25, 1987. After this decision, planning for a new jail
began and Muncie government officials made several poor decisions concerning the finances of
the project. As architects and negligent contractors were fired, ineffective equipment was
purchased, county officials indicted, and accusations of fraud and wasted taxpayer money were
made, court cases ensued. After years of city/county officials haggling and legal controversy, the
new jail was finally opened in November 1992. A main reason for the delay was severe design and
construction errors.
Extent
2 Cubic Feet (2 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Archives and Special Collections as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2001/04 by R. Wilcox. EAD finding aid created 2012/10/12 by Julie Hausknecht. EAD finding aid revised 2013/03/06 by Bethany Fiechter.
- Delaware County (Ind.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Documents Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Jails Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Law Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Muncie (Ind.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Newspapers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Stoeckel Archives of Local History Subject Source: Local sources
- Title
- Delaware County Jail research files
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Stoeckel Archives of Local History Repository
Contact:
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie Indiana 47306 USA
libarchives@bsu.edu
Alexander M. Bracken Library
2000 W. University Avenue
Muncie Indiana 47306 USA
libarchives@bsu.edu
