The album begins with a manuscript title page which reads “Views of Folsom Prison. 1911. James Mack Ventura, Cal.” This is followed by two portraits of William Reilly who, along with being warden of Folsom, was a close friend of Mack. Presumably the two knew one another in Ventura, where Mack ran a successful garage and Reilly was under-sheriff until he left for Folsom in 1907. These photos are followed by a portrait of Reilly’s son Harry, seated in an automobile, and a picture of two children named Tom and Margaret.

This is followed by a photographic overview of the prison which consists of photos showing two birds eye views of the prison; the Warden’s Residence; another panoramic view, two photos of a cell block, an unusually well-appointed Cell interior, the Hospital Ward; Dining Room, the Chapel; the Quarry, the Stone Yard, the Power House; the Upper Yard Noon Line Up; and Lower Yard Noon Line Up. Also included (later in the album) are two rivers of the nearby American River at high water.

These shots are followed by perhaps the most interesting aspect of the album, a number of photos showing both the 1910 and 1911 “Folsom Field Day.” An annual tradition instituted by Warden Charles Aull in 1904, and included live entertainment, baseball games and a special meal. Field day events depicted in the album include Warden Reilly at the opening of 1911 Base Ball Season; two shots of the 1911 cake walk, which was judged by James Mack and others, two shots of the 1910 foot race, and photos of a prize fight, a theatrical performance, one mile race, hurdle race, and cake walk.

The back half of the album contains thirty-one photographs done a few decades later, beginning with twelve photos of Folsom. There are four photos showing prison-made guns and ammo, including some that were used in an infamous 1933 jailbreak. Also present are two photos of an unidentified man in the morgue. This is possibly Martin Colson, one of the two inmates who attempted the 1933 escape, who committed suicide when his efforts proved unsuccessful. There are also three views of the prison’s textile factory, one unidentified group portrait, a view of “The Roof” where Tuberculosis patients were held, and a shot of the library.

There are also nine photos of the Female Department at San Quentin, with views of the exterior, the dining hall, the Dental Office, and the Hospital Ward, as well as five charming pictures of the inmates dressed in costume.

The last ten photos in the album are mostly postcard size and pertain to Arizona State Prison, These include shots of the grounds, an interesting portrait of an incarcerated author, shown seated at a typewriter and surrounded by reams of typed pages, a hole in the group dubbed “The Death Trip”,” a composite photo of 18 mugshots, and more.