New York Prison System (late 1800s)

[glinda]

I'm looking for recommendations of good sources on the early history of the prison system in New York City, especially about the prisons that would have existed in the late 1800s and would have housed female inmates. (Given how many prisons exist in New York state these days, I find it unlikely that Sing Sing was the only prison that close to the city.) I'm especially interested in reports on prison conditions - I'm currently reading Within Prison Walls by prison reformer Thomas Mott Osborne - and any mascinations around their building/expansion.

Thanks in advance for any information or general pointers in the right direction.