The record books contain entries for United States prisoners whose cases were handled by district courts, and territorial prisoners whose cases were handled by probate courts. In both books, the warrant issued by the courts to have prisoners delivered to or received at the penitentiary was entered. Also the circumstances of crimes and the findings and sentences of courts were recorded. This information includes the dates prisoners were sentenced; the length of their sentences; and the dates they were received at the prison. Often there are accounts of any labor in which prisoners participated. The dates prisoners were released, or in other cases, when they escaped are frequently recorded. Usually there are identifications of prisoners which include nativity; age; occupation; stature; complexion; hair; forehead; eyes; nose; mouth; teeth; chin; and marks. Included in the last record book of territorial prisoners is a brief draft history of the Utah Penitentiary written by Warden Albert P. Rockwood in 1877.
The last record book of territorial prisoners also contains a questionnaire which was sent to Warden Rockwood from the National Prison Association. It inquired about the characteristics of the prisoners, the prison, and the prison staff.
Financial journals were used to record the purchase of supplies. Also reported are the proceeds realized from the labor of prisoners. The journals dated December 1863 to December 1867 and December 1867 to November 1871 have subject and name indexes. There are also loose bills, receipts, and invoices.
Warrants of confinement which were issued by the district and probate courts. The warrants reported the findings and sentences of courts. They commanded that prisoners be delivered to the prison by law enforcement and/or received at the penitentiary by the warden.
Orders of Release granted prisoners release from custody and explain the reasons for the decision. Some were released by pardons granted by the governor. Others were released because it was determined by the court that innocence or guilt had not adequately been established. Still others were released by bail bond and were expected to make a later appearance in court.
The main topics of the correspondence include appointments to positions, prisoner escapes, work releases for prisoners, and transporting prisoners for appearances before judges. Some letters discuss prison conditions or individual prisoners.
Following the correspondence is a copy of the minutes of the proceedings in justice's court about a theft of animals and other property. There are also depositions which were submitted about the crime.
The final two items are records from the administration of warden Frederick Kesler, who served from 1880 until 1894. In the Record of the Utah Penitentiary, Warden Kesler reported on the circumstances of his appointment and on conditions of the prison when he became warden.
The Frederick Kesler papers consist mainly of reports Warden Kesler submitted to the legislative assembly. Kesler's themes in these reports concerns the debt the territory had incurred by the housing of territorial prisoners by the United States government; and concerns the legislature's appointment of a committee to determine a site and provide funding to build a territorial penitentiary.